Saturday 2nd January 2016 Kick-off 3.00pm

V EAST THURROCK UNITEDRyman League Premier Division

At Mill Field, Aveley RM15 4SR

SPONSORS: CAROL TILLETT AND PHYLLIS HOLLANDS

NEXT HOME MATCH

Wednesday 6th January 2016 Kick-off 7.45pm

V TONBRIDGE ANGELS

Ryman League Premier Division

SPONSOR: CAROL TILLETT

INSIDE COVER

Today’s

Line-Ups

Saturday 2nd

January 2016

Referee:

STUART BUTLER

Assistant Referees:

MARCIN INDYK

ROSS ALExANDER

NEXT HOME MATCHWednesday 6th January 2016 Kick-off 7.45pm

V TONBRIDGE ANGELSRyman League Premier Division

Match Sponsor: Carol Tillett

FROM:Lamar Johnson (GK)Jay LeaderJey SivaJake HutchingsTommy CummingsKenny Beaney (c)James StevensBradley TomlinsonDumebi GB-DumakaJoao CarlosAlex AddaiRoman Michael-PercilGus DouglasLuke IfilGlen LittleMark BentleyHarry AgombarPerry TamburriniCorrey DavidsonMontel AgyemangDanny Burnett-Williams

GRAYS ATHLETICBlue

FROM:Lucas Lidakevicius (GK)Ashley MillerSammy KnottRyan ScottRickie HaylesBen WoodKye RuelDaryl RobsonSam HigginsAde YusuffTom WraightRyan SammonsGeorge CraddockMitchell GilbeyJames WalkerLewis Smith

EAST THURROCK UTDYellow & Black

Good afternoon and a Happy New Year toyou all. With an early copy deadline forthis post holiday Match Day Programmeand some of our volunteers enjoying anextended break with their families, I havejust managed to complete this introductorypiece before Mark, our programme design-er and printer at MK Public-ations (UK) Ltdpressed the print button!

May I firstly extend a very warm welcometo the Directors, staff, players and sup-porters of today’s visitors, East ThurrockUnited. Our local rivals arrive here at MillField with a recent record that we can onlydream about. The Rocks are the formteam over their last eight League gameswith six wins and a draw. Extending thatform guide to their last thirteen Leaguegames, it’s an equally impressive recordwith eight wins and three draws. So withjust two League defeats since 24 Octoberand sitting in 9th place with games in handover all the teams above them, they arevery well placed for a tilt at the play-offs oreven better. Their manager, John Coven-try, has been able to field a much moresettled side recently as a number of hisplayers have recovered from early seasoninjuries.

In comparison, our League record hasslipped badly since we were top of theLeague in September. Our first ten Leaguegames produced seven wins and twodraws. Since then, the next thirteen out-ings have produced a disappointing tally offourteen points with just four wins and twodraws, putting us in 12th position, threepoints behind today’s opponents.

Such is the current League table, that anyteam in the top half going on a decent runduring a very busy January can put them-selves in the running for honours duringthe last third of the campaign. I know ourteam management is working hard on thetraining ground to improve player perform-ance and is also looking to add some moreexperience to a generally young squad.

In the meantime, all we can ask is for oursupporters to do all we can to encouragethe team in their endeavours.

Enjoy your afternoon and have a safejourney home.

Glyn JarvisLife-President

Thoughts From

Life-President

With

Glyn Jarvis

WANTED.Can anyone please help me obtain the

2 FA Trophy programmes Home and Awayfrom the 2005 Semi-Finals v Burton Albion.

These are for my own personal collection and I am happy to pay a

reasonable price for these.If you can help, please contact Mark the

Programme designer on 07940 322612 or emailsundayonly1@aol.com

From everyone at Grays Athletic Football Club,

we wish you all a very Happy New Year

Who’s Who at

Grays Athletic

Officials &

Committee

Grays Athletic

Football Club

Club

Honours

Conference South

Founder Member Club: 2004-05

Champions: 2004-05

Corinthian League

Founder Member Club: 1945-46

Champions: 1945-46

Runners Up: 1956-57, 1954-55, 1951-52

London League Premier

Champions: 1929-30, 1926-27, 1921-22

Runners Up: 1930-31, 1928-29, 1927-28, 1920-21, 1914-15

Isthmian League Division One

Runners Up: 1999-00, 1987-88

Isthmian League North Division

Champions: 2012-13

Isthmian League Division Two South

Champions: 1984-85

Athenian League

Founder Member Club: 1912-13

Runners Up: 1982-83

FA Trophy

Winners: 2005-06, 2004-05

FA Cup

2nd Round: 2005-06

1st Round: 2008-09, 2003-04, 2001-02, 2000-01, 1988-89, 1952-53

Isthmian League Cup

Winners: 1991-92

Runners Up: 2014-15

Athenian League Cup

Runners Up: 1979-80, 1977-78

London League Challenge Cup

Winners: 1936-1937

Corinthian Memorial Shield

Winners: 1979-80, 1977-78, 1946-47, 1945-46

East Anglian Cup

Winners: 1944-45

Runners Up: 1954-55, 1943-44

Essex Senior Cup

Winners: 1994-95, 1993-94, 1987-88, 1956-57, 1944-45, 1922-23,

1920-21, 1914-15

Runners Up: 2012-13, 1988-89, 1965-66, 1957-58, 1954-55, 1953-54,

1952-53, 1925-26, 1923-24, 1919-20

Essex Thameside Trophy

Winners: 2001-02, 1990-91, 1988-89, 1987-88, 1980-81, 1978-79,

1947-48

Runners Up: 1993-94, 1985-86, 1984-85, 1968-69, 1961-62, 1958-59,

1945-46

Essex Elizabethan Trophy

Winners: 1976-77

Runners Up: 1965-66

GRAYS ATHLETIC FOOTBALL CLUB (1982) LTD

First Team Manager: Mark Bentley

Reserves Manager: Rainer Hein

Coach/Scout: David Raven

Physiotherapist: Jack Hughes

Kitman: Sim Madgewick

Youth Development: Rainer Hein

Goalkeeping Coach: Robert Lewis

CLUB OFFICIALS AND VOLUNTEERS

Chairman: Keith Burns

Vice Chairman: Danny Swallow

Chief Executive Officer: Joel Nathan

Secretary: Peter Butcher

Programme Editor: Glyn Balmer

Assistant Programme Editor: Glyn Jarvis

Programme Production: Mark Kettlety (MK Publications)

Website Manager: Rob Seaman

Fundraising: GAFC 1890 Supporters Trust

Stadium Safety Officer: Steve Boughen

LIFE PRESIDENTS

Alan Barnard, Glyn Jarvis, Jamie Lee, Tony Packer

Fred Saxton, Jeff Saxton, John Turner

GRAYS ATHLETIC 1890 SUPPORTERS TRUST

Chairman: Fred Wakeling

Vice Chairman: Steve Skinner

Secretary: David Barnes

Treasurer: Anthony Auger

Registered Office : 21 St Johns Road, Chadwell St Mary,

Essex RM16 4JU Registered Number: 01651326

Prediction

League

Who Will Win

This Season?

League Table 2015-2016 as at 5pm, Saturday 26th December 2015

1st Glynbo 18872nd Flintstone 18773rd Graysgooner 17914th Stewieg 17765th Ashingdonblue 17176th Miller 17147th Graham 17128th Magic 1703*9th TerryTibbs 1890 168010th Stiffordblue 160611th Brian 159012th Pasha 158813th Robbo 158014th Graysblue 156815th Gwatts 153116th Muttley 152717th Shepherd 152218th= Kim Ross 149918th= Jack C 1499*20th JDockerill205 149821st Blueblood 147722nd Teamtalksrus 147523rd Wolfie 145024th Don 1444

25th John M 144326th Kris 144027th PDoc1967 1439*28th Tony Packer 1436*29th Gazza56 141430th Mickyrod 137131st Coursie 1368*32nd Elizabeth 1354*33rd Mr Bridger 1310*34th Grayscan 1304*35th Rhino1890 130036th David 127737th Stephen 124738th Welchandmahoney 934

* indicates missed prediction

Top 5 MonthlyGraysgooner 349Mr Bridger 322Shepherd 314Flintstone 292Terrytibbs1890 275

Monthly WinnerGraysgooner

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING.The following are arrestable offences under the Football (Offences & Disorder)

Act 1999.

1. Throwing of an object within the ground without lawful authority or excuse.

2. The chanting of anything indecent, racial or homophobic comments

3. Entry onto the playing area or any adjacent area to which spectators are not generally

admitted without lawful authority or excuse. Conviction could result in a Football Banning

Order being made for ALL grounds in the country, together with the surrender of passport

whenever England are playing abroad.

4. Alcohol may not be consumed with sight of the playing surface (The club may at its dis-

cretion relax this rule, by using plastic glasses for friendly fixtures).

Any breach of these regulations will lead in the first instance to ejection from the ground,

but could also lead to the suspension of season tickets, and Grays Athletic and the Police

issuing a football banning order.

Grays Athletic wish to encourage families and genuine supporters to visit home matches

and hope they enjoy the match-day experience in a safe and friendly atmosphere.

Ryman League

Premier Division

Directory

Of Clubs

Billericay Town FC “The Blues” New Lodge, Blunts Wall Road, Billericay, Essex, CM12 9SA

http://www.billericaytownfc.co.uk/

Bognor Regis Town FC “The Rocks”Nyewood Lane, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 2TY

http://www.therocks.co.uk/

Brentwood Town FC “The Blues” The Arena, Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road, Brentwood,

Essex CM15 9NN http://brentwoodtownfc.co.uk/

Burgess Hill FC “The Hillians” Leylands Park, Maple Drive, Burgess Hill,West Sussex

RH15 8DL http://www.bhtfc.co.uk/

Canvey Island FC “The Gulls”The Prospect Stadium, Park Lane, Canvey Island, Essex,

SS8 7PX http://canveyislandfc.com/home

Dulwich Hamlet FC “The Hamlet” Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, Dog Kennel Hill,

East Dulwich, London, SE22 8DB http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dulwichhamlet/

East Thurrock United FC “The Rocks” Rookery Hill, Corringham, Essex, SS17 9LB

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/eastthurrockunited/

Enfield Town FC “Towners” Queen Elizabeth II Stadium, Donkey Lane, Enfield, Middlesex,

EN1 3PL http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/enfieldtown/

Farnborough FC “Boro” Cherrywood Road, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 8UD

http://www.farnboroughfc.co.uk/

Grays Athletic FC “The Blues” Mill Field, Aveley, Essex, RM15 4SJ (Groundsharing with

Aveley FC) http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/graysathletic/

Hampton & R.B. FC “The Beavers” The Beveree Stadium, Beaver Close, Station Road, Hampton,

Middlesex, TW12 2BX

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/hamptonrichmondboroughfc/

Harrow Borough FC “The Boro” Earlsmead, Corylean Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex, HA2 8SS

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/harrowborough/

Hendon FC “The Greens” Earlsmead, Corylean Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex,

HA2 8SS (Groundsharing with Harrow Borough FC) http://www.hendonfc.net/

Kingstonian FC “The K’s” Kingsmeadow Stadium, 422a Kingston Road,

Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, KT1 3PB (Groundsharing with AFC Wimbledon)

http://www.kingstonian.com/

Leatherhead FC “The Tanners” Fetcham Grove, Guildford Road, Leatherhead, Surrey,

KT22 9AS http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/leatherhead/

Leiston FC “The Blues” Victory Road, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4DQ

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/leistonfc/

Lewes FC “The Rooks” The Dripping Pan, Mountfield Road, Lewes, East Sussex

BN7 3XD http://www.lewesfc.com/

Merstham FC “The Moatsiders ” Weldon Way, Merstham, Surrey, RH1 3QB

http://www.mersthamfc.co.uk/

Metropolitan Police FC “The Blues”Imber Court, Sports Ground, Ember Lane, East Molesey,

Surrey, KT8 0BT http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/metropolitanpolicefc/

Needham Market FC “The Marketmen” ‘Bloomfields’ Quinton Road, Needham Market, Ipswich,

Suffolk IP6 8DA http://www.needhammarketfc.co.uk

Staines Town FC “The Swans” Wheatsheaf Park, Wheatsheaf Ln, Staines, Middlesex

TW18 2PD http://stainestownfootballclub.co.uk/

Tonbridge Angels FC “The Angels” Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent,

TN10 3JF http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/tonbridgeangelsfc/

VCD Athletic FC “The Vickers”Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent, DA1 4DN

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/vcdathleticfc/

Wingate & Finchley FC “The Blues” The Harry Abrahams Stadium, Sumners Lane, Finchley,

London, N12 0PD http://www.wingatefinchley.com/

Benno & His

Blue Notes

With

Mark Bentley

Good afternoon and welcome to Aveley

for our game against our Essex rivals East

Thurrock. I hope everyone had a good

Christmas and I wish you all a Happy New

year.

It hasn't been ideal for our last two fix-

tures to be cancelled due to waterlogged

pitches but has given the boys a chance to

have a good break and recharge their bat-

teries heading into the second half of the

season. Being the holiday period we have

managed to get the lads in for a couple of

morning sessions which has enabled us to

spend some more time on the training field

working on things which we find hard to

during usual evening sessions. The lads

have worked hard and hopefully have

taken on board the information from the

training field and will carry that over to the

pitch.

It's been a couple of weeks since the

Dulwich defeat where once again we left

the pitch disappointed and frustrated that

we have not taken anything from the

game. We have spoken many times about

the importance of taking your chances

especially against sides like Dulwich who I

believe will be right up there come the end

of the season. We had good early chances

in that game but failed to take them. It

always leaves you vulnerable and when

you come up against good sides they will

punish you.

Although we got ourselves a somewhat

fortuitous penalty to get level, we seemed

to lose focus after the commotion from the

Dulwich players toward the officials. I was

very frustrated by the way we lost the

game but after I had time to reflect I don't

think we actually played that badly in

tough conditions. We do however need to

start being more convincing in front of

goal, like the Staines game where we

scored 4 out of probably 6 chances.

Consistency is also an issue at the moment

and I will be looking to improve that very

quickly. It may be a case of getting a cou-

ple of fresh faces into the squad just to

keep everyone on their toes.

Today we face an East Thurrock side who

are on a good run of form and have some

very good players, so we certainly must be

up for a very tough game. Being another

Essex derby I expect my team to be well

up for a physical battle and must take our

chances when they come.

Enjoy the game Benno

“We have spoken

many times

about the

importance of

taking your

chances

especially against

sides like

Dulwich”

Grays Athletic

On Film

With thanks to

Peter Jackson

Hendonv

Grays Athletic

Grays Athletic

FC

Match

Report

GRAYS ATHLETIC 1DULWICH HAMLET 2

SATURDAY 19TH DECEMBER 2015

MATCH REPORT courtesy ofwww.yourthurrock.com

GRAYS Athletic lost a thrilling and ill-tempered encounter at the Mill Fieldon Saturday afternoon.

It will be interesting to see what theofficials think of conduct of not onlythe players but also the management.Two of them were sent to the standsafter a constant diet of foul and abu-sive language. Strangely enough thegame started fairly tamely and theleague leaders found it hard to getinto their rhythm.

Grays first task was to see how theywould cope without top scorer DumebiGB-Dumaka and throughout the gamethey coped quite well. Dulwich lookedlike a team at the top as they werevery swift in attack but didn't have thefinal touch for a long period of thegame. Joao Carlos looked lively earlyon and was clearly irritating defenderMitchell Nelson. Dulwich were beinggiven far too much space by the Graysdefender as they played neat one-twos. Carlos should have scored in theeighth minute when Luke Ifil produceda great twenty yard cross. Carlos gotpast both a defender and the keeperbut his shot was headed off the line.Both teams were struggling with thebobbly surface.

Dulwich conceded a penalty in the19th minute when Carlos was bundledover in the box but Harry Agombar’skick was very weak and it wentstraight at keeper Phil Wilson. ButGrays did not let their heads go downand continued to enjoy the majority ofthe play. Mitchell Nelson went into thebook for a foul on Carlos. Hamlet’s

first real shot at goal came in the 28thminute through a free kick whichLamar Johnson saved well. Dulwichwere quite prepared to hustle andharry for a point or three. A free kickon the edge of the box went into thewall as Grays stood tall. Hamlet’s firstpiece of action in the second half wasa free kick that drifted over the barand away. Dean McDonald lookednippy but they really hadn’t got intotheir stride.

McDonald hit the post in the 52ndminute as if to signal his intent. Andsure enough he pounced on a GraysAth mistake to slip the ball in andscore in the 55th minute.

Harry Agombar has struggled to getinto the game but he managed hit thepost in the 58th minute. But Graysstuck to their task and in the 67thminute got something of a lucky breakwhen they were given a penalty whenit appeared that the Dulwich defendergot the ball cleanly in a tackle.Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson scoredfrom the spot.

The game descended into chaos.Dulwich players had protested vehe-mently regarding the decision andafter Grays scored they did not stop.Danny Waldren was sent off. Thegame was set up for a full bloodedfinal fifteen minutes but DulwichHamlet had lost their rhythm. Graysfound it hard to punish them and asthe atmosphere became increasinglybitter, you wondered if the Grays play-ers were letting it get to them. Butthis was a resolute Dulwich who clear-ly do not give up. In the 90th minute,they scored after a Damian Scannellfree kick floated over two Graysdefenders and in. Dulwich went mad.There were ugly scenes at the endwhich did not go un-noticed.

The Club currently requires additional help on match days in

a variety of different roles including the following:

* Assistance in the Board Room

* Programme / Raffle Sales

* Operate on various gates throughout the ground

* Ballboys

If you would like to be part of the team, and are able to commit to

a number of set dates throughout the season, please see any Club

Official in person, or contact via email

(graysathleticfc@hotmail.co.uk)

If you can help, you wouldn't be expected to keep with the same

position all season, and we are looking at putting

together a rota once we know who we have available.

1. Rangers (after the clubs found-

ing fathers saw the name in a

book and decided they liked it)

2. Italy (although he was born in

Darlington)

3. Iran

4. Eric Cantona, for Leeds v Man

Utd

5.

a) Everton

b) Manchester City

c) Tottenham Hotspur

d) Blackburn Rovers

6. London, Manchester,

Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool,

Sheffield, Nottingham, Stoke

7. Tranmere Rovers

8. Manchester City

9. The theme tune of Match of the

Day

10. Dean Richards, Carl Cort,

Kevin Davies, Dean Ashton, Nigel

Reo-Coker

Quiz Answers

*** STADIUM NEWS ***

CLUB’S RELOCATION PLANS TAKE A BIG STEP FORWARD

The Club is pleased to report that details of the planned location of our

“Relocation Back to Grays” project will be announced as soon as possible

in the New Year following a recent meeting with Thurrock Council and

other stakeholders.

Further key meetings are scheduled for the New Year as we work with

our partners on the layout of the facilities we hope to provide for Club

and community use. As soon as these meetings have taken place, we will

be able to give supporters more information on our proposals.

We do hope that all our supporters will understand the sensitivity of

such discussions and therefore the Club will make no further announce-

ment until next year.

Grays Athletic

FC

Stadium

News

Half-Time

Quiz

Courtesy of

Glyn Balmer

1. Which Scottish football club was

named after an English rugby team?

2. Giuseppe Wilson won 3 interna-

tional football caps for which coun-

try?

3. With 109 goals, Ali Daei is the

leading all time goal scorer in inter-

national football, but for which coun-

try did he play?

4. Which player scored a hat-trick in

the Charity Shield for the reigning

champions before winning the title

with the team he scored against later

the same season?

5. Which Premier League clubs have

these Latin inscriptions on their

badges?

a) Nil satis nisi optimum

b) Superbia in proelia

c) Audere est facere

d) Arte et labore

6. Which are the 8 English towns or

cities that could host league derby

matches (assuming both teams were

in the same division)?

7. ESPN presenter Ray Stubbs(pic-

tured) was on the books of which

English club?

8. Which team boasts the biggest

pitch in the Premier League at 116 x

77 yards?

9. How is the song “Offside” by Barry

Stroller better known?

10. Name the 5 English players who

have cost over £7 million each but

have never played for England.

encounter at Hampton. Tomlinson wasposing a real threat playing on the lastdefender. However, he found himselfflagged for offside on a number of occa-sions but it looked as though at some stagehe would spring the offside trap, which hedid in the 60th minute. A pinpoint pass fromKenny Beaney saw the Blues’ striker one onone with Purse driving forward he easilyoutpaced the ageing legs of the Stainesman as Turner advanced he coolly slottedthe ball into the bottom corner. The goalwas no more than Blues deserved, havinglooked comfortable in the second period.

Staines huffed and puffed without carvingout any clear cut opportunities with Leaderand Jake Hutchins working well together atthe heart of the defence. The home sidewere still looking to get on the score sheetbut their play became more rushed withpasses over hit although Johnson had to be

alert saving well from Hutchinson. On 79minutes Blues got their fourth withTomlinson claiming his hat-trick. A highball forward was allowed to bounce by thehapless Purse, Tomlinson outmuscled theburly centre back leaving Turner exposedhe calmly rolled the ball home to round offwhat was a match-winning display. Thegoal seems to drain any fight from thehome side and Blues comfortably saw outthe remaining minutes, registering theirbiggest league win since a similar scoreagainst Brentwood earlier in the season.

Coupled with a clean sheet it was a valu-able win and the three points keeps themin the playoff hunt. The only downside ofthe evening was the injury to top scorerGB-Dumaka, which looks likely to keep himout for a couple of weeks.

FT 0-4

GAFC SUPPORTERS TRUST UPDATE ON THE “12TH MAN” SCHEME

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2015

This new fundraiser for the Club was introduced by the Supporters Trust at the

start of the 2015-16 season.

Its aim is to help the Club meet the cost of players’ travel and out of pocket

expenses. Supporters have been making donations to the scheme since the first

game of the season, covering wins, draws, clean sheets and goals scored, plus a

general monthly contribution to support the Club.

So far, after thirty-six first team games, the team has come out on top on eight-

een occasions, drawn six times, collected thirteen clean sheets and scored sixty-

five goals.

With the contributions made to the end of December by supporters, more than

£2,900 has already been handed over to the Club. With twenty-three league

games still to be played during the four months from January through to April

and pledges of over £800 already made for this period, it is hoped that the team

continues to be successful on the pitch. If it is, the pre-season plan that over

£4,000 could be raised through the scheme for the season should be comfortably

reached, with perhaps even £5,000 in our sights.

The Board of the Club is extremely grateful for these funds, as while we do not

have the income flows that can be generated from having our own ground, these

monies are vital to our progress. Supporters can join the scheme at any time.

Just see Trust Treasurer, Anthony Auger, or Secretary, David Barnes at any game

– home or away – and they will be delighted to give you an application form to

complete.

Grays Athletic

FC

Fundraising

News

Grays

Athletic FC

Club

125

This page details supporters and businesses who have purchased a season ticket for

2015-2016, our 125th Anniversary season. The club and Trust wish to send our thanks to

all, and hope they enjoy their season ticket.

Glyn Jarvis Ben Wayment

Fred Wakeling Oscar Wayment

Steve Skinner George Watts

Charlie Skinner David Barnes

Glyn Balmer David Barnes - Community Chest (1)

Alan Roberts David Barnes - Community Chest (2)

Mick Green Phyllis Hollands

Stewart Goshawk Carol Tillett

Alan Webb Colin Tillett

Rebecca Webb Graham Deats

Anne Paveley Jennie Deats

John Paveley Wayne Durrell

Brian Page Phillip Parker

Phil Boston Martin Howes

Peter Symons Jack Howes

Peter Symons (2) David Seaman

Steve Allen Kim Ross

R J Bloomfield Peter Jackson

Mike Love Peter Sheppard (Prediction League Winner 2014-15)

Alan England Traitors Gate

Essex Tarpaulin The Trop Shop

ET Marine Grayers Graphics

Smiths Orchard Garden Centre Paragon Independent Ltd

Tag Construction Affordable Carpets

KB Coaches Anthony Auger

Essex Industrial Clarendon

Tilbury Tiles The Ship

The White Hart

The list will be updated throughout the season as more season tickets are sold. For full

details of the season ticket packages available please visit

http://www.graysathletic.co.uk/news/201516-season-ticket-packages-1432320.html

Grays

Athletic FC

Match

Report

MATCH REPORT by The MarinerSTAINES TOWN 0-4 GRAYS ATHLETIC

TUESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2015 Manager Mark Bentley questioned the

players’ desire and commitment afterSaturday's disappointing defeat at Hamptonhoping for a reaction against Staines, andhe certainly got one with the Blues sweep-ing their hosts aside inspired by a BradleyFortnam-Tomlinson hat trick. Jey Siva, JakeHutchings and Roman Michael-Percil cameinto the starting eleven and all made a vitalcontribution to the victory.

Blues started the game brightly lookingsharp and moving the ball quickly with bothJoao Carlos and Michael-Percil seeing plen-ty of the ball out wide. The first opportuni-ty for Grays fell to Montel Agyemang.Receiving the ball from Carlos he ignoredSiva's clever overlap, electing to shoot butfailed to trouble Turner with the ball sailingharmlessly over. The opening quarter sawboth sides looking for a goal scoring oppor-tunity with GB-Dumaka coming close for theBlues with a snapshot just fizzing over,whilst at the other end Lamar Johnson didwell to claim the ball from a Cox header.Johnson was called into action momentslater, saving from winger Kalu whounleashed a powerful effort after a mazyrun down Blues’ left flank.

Carlos and Siva were combining well outwide with Siva making some intelligentoverlaps, creating space for his trademarkcrosses and with the midfield showing morepurpose and pace Blues continued to askquestions of the home defenders. Thebreakthrough came in the 23rd minutemoments after Johnson again did well toget to a deflected drive from Wanadio.Blues counter attacked with Siva againprominent. From his throw Tomlinsonpicked the ball up, cutting in to the edge ofthe box he let fly with a low drive beatingTurner at his near post. Staines - stung bythe goal - forced Blues back winning a suc-cession of corners all dealt with comfortablyby the visitors, although Jay Leader madean uncharacteristic error misjudging a longkick from Turner allowing Cox a run on goal.Johnson spared the defender’s blushes witha smart block.

Blues began to show why they led thetable early season with some quick decisiveraids. The lively Michael-Percil looked backto his best with some pacey runs, one suchforcing a good save from Turner. A greatmove between Michael-Percil andTomlinson saw GB-Dumaka with a scoringopportunity - the ball deflecting for a cor-ner following a quick challenge from Purse.In stretching for the ball GB-Dumakaappeared to tweak his hamstring. Afterlengthy treatment he was replaced byHarry Agombar. From the resultant cornerSiva swung in a teasing ball met by thehead of Leader who rose unchallenged topower the ball past Turner putting Bluestwo up with 40 minutes on the clock.Chances came and went at either end andthen on the stroke of half time Staineswere offered a lifeline when Johnson, in arush of blood, careered from his line bring-ing down Wanadio. On another night hecould well have earned a red rather thanthe yellow card he did receive. The keeperquickly went from villain to hero savingCox's kick to preserve the Blues two goaladvantage.

HT 0-2Staines emerged a good five minutes

before the restart evidence of a far fromhappy home manager Steve Shorey. Thedressing down they must obviously havereceived down to Blues’ more determinedapproach in the first period. The hostsforced an early corner. Carlos cleared thedanger which just illustrated the work ethicBlues now employed. Grays were looking toexploit the lack of pace in the homedefence, targeting veteran pro Purse bothTomlinson and Michael-Percil looked totake him on at every opportunity. Michael-Percil caused panic with another good runwith the Staines’ defenders scrambling theball away only to find Carlos whose firsttime effort deflected for a corner. Stainesfor their part plugged away but withoutthreatening the Blues’ goal as had been thecase in the first period.

Grays’ midfield were content to retainpossession moving the ball between them,consequently the ball retention showed amarked improvement from Saturday's

Raven's

Ramblings

By

David Raven

Happy new year!A million years ago a bunch of million-

aire's playthings (billionaires hadn't beeninvented yet) became rather scared thatthey might have to ply their trades on alevel playing field so they threatened toform a breakaway league to include onlythe best teams in Europe. The plan wasmodified slightly to restrict entry to teamsthat might be good enough but didn't gen-erate enough cash. Not so long agoArsenal Whinger predicted that revenuepressure on the elite teams would see thisbreakaway league formed by 2020...justfive years from now.

UEFA originally poured water on the ideaby introducing the Champions Leaguewhich was designed as a cash cow to bemilked by those clubs that see themselvesas a sporting bourgeoisie – let’s face it, afew short years ago Chelski and Citeh weresmall clubs but are no longer considered assuch because of their financial clout - butall of a sudden the kings in their countinghouses are realising that you don't getmuch of it back when you invest in a fitbateam and so we are seeing a levelling ofthe playing fields all over the continent.

There are teams in many of the majorfootball leagues sitting in the Europeanplaces without spending anywhere nearthe amounts of money the usual suspectsand media favourites do and it's turninginto a real issue. Strange names likeLeicester City, Celta Vigo, Hertha Berlin,Sassuolo and Heracles are suddenlyappearing on TV screens and in newspaperarticles that cover the big five leagues inEuropean football. While it's capturing theimagination of the supporters it's scaringthe bejeezus out of the advertising execu-tives, the sponsors and the billionaire own-ers so don't be surprised if that breakawayleague starts hitting the top of the agendaswith frightened clubs making a bid to be onboard before the ship sails!

What a great few weeks it's been in thepremier soap opera we call football. Not anawful lot going on with the internationalspice station so the attention really hasbeen well and truly on Blighty. The specialone is unemployed having been replacedby Hoodwinked – who hasn't fared much

better with his fantasy football team - andthe Mancunian voodoo doll manufacturersare out of LG Vans stock while themedia froths at the collective mouth to getthe poor man the sack from Rooney Unitedjust so they can say they predicted it. Thesupporters don't help...how dare theirteam only be in sixth position! The ToonArmy are wishing they had The Muppetback to replace the Brollyman... it's betterthan real life and it's all available forfree. For now.

The famous military little fella who lenthis name, whether he liked it or not, to theNapoleonic wars was particularly fond ofthe howitzer, an artillery piece with a shortbarrel and comparitively less propellantthat launched projectiles with a high tra-jectory and a steep descent. Basically, itlaunched the ball long and high with lesseffort. Why would you want to do anythingelse? On a recent rambling I was at a gamewhere the pitch really did make Crickle-fields look like a bowling green so to adegree you can understand why the teamthat knows the surface best didn't want theround thing to get stuck on it.

There was an amusing moment when avisiting player surged forward then startedto moonwalk as he hit the quicksand andthe slowest player on the pitch caught upand deftly nicked the ball from his toes.Cue the second half and a bit of wind anda 45 minute demonstration of howitzerball...long ball would not and could notadequately describe the indefensiblecrimes against football. Most cringeworthywere the partisan supporters who were ontheir feet applauding and crying "greatfootball" every time their goalkeeper land-ed one of the edge of the opposition boxand their strikers chased it out of play.

After the recent fixture lottery it's fingersand toes crossed that we welcome EastThurrock to Mill Field today. Covo's ladshave been on a great run and have scored54 goals in the league and are making abid for the play-offs. We really do have toshake off the festive cobwebs and willneed to be at our best to get somethingout of what should be a cracking derby andhopefully a great way to start the newyear. Time to ramble on... 

On This

Day In History

2nd

January

1971: Sixty-six die in Scottish football disaster

Sixty-six football supporters have beenkilled following a match between Old Firmrivals Celtic and Rangers at the Ibrox Parkstadium in Glasgow. The disaster occurredwhen crush barriers collapsed as thou-sands of fans made their way out of thestadium.

Initial reports suggest the tragedy, whichhappened on stairway 13 of the stadium,was caused when hundreds of Rangersfans began leaving the match early believ-ing Celtic had won. Jimmy Johnstone hadscored for Celtic with just a minute to go,but Colin Stein scored an equalising goalfor Rangers during injury time causing ahuge roar to erupt inside the stadium.

According to eye-witnesses, fans attempt-ing to get back up the stairs after hearingthe roar, collided head-on with those com-ing down the stairs. Rescuers, who wereon the scene within minutes, tried to forcetheir way through the crowds, but theirefforts were mostly in vain. One man whomanaged to struggle out of the crush,described the scene. "I was making myway out of the stadium down the stairswhen suddenly everything seemed tostop," he said. "The lads at the back justkept coming forward down the stairs. Iwent down with the rest of the crowd,being pushed and pulled onto the ground.Everyone was struggling to get out, suffo-cating - it was essentially a fight for sur-vival. After 10 or 15 minutes I was draggedout by a policeman and brought to hospital

by ambulance."Eighteen-year-old Margaret Ferguson was

the only female fan to be killed in thetragedy. Alick Buchanan-Smith, Scottishminister for Home Affairs, has called for animmediate inquiry into the disaster.

In ContextA public inquiry later discounted the initial

version of events which suggested fans hadbeen attempting to go back up the stairway.It is now believed the crush was causedsimply by the downward force of so manysupporters leaving at the same time. Themomentum of the crowd meant that oncepeople started to fall, there was no way ofholding the mass of bodies back.

The disaster remains the worst in the his-tory of Scottish football and is surpassedonly by the Hillsborough tragedy in Britishfootball.

Selection of matches on this day1914-15 FA Amateur Cup 1st Round H Charlton Athletic W 4 - 11931-32 London League Premier A Chelmsford L 1 - 31936-37 London League A Tooting & Mitcham UnitedL 0 - 11942-43 Essex County Red Cross Cup A Hoffmans Athletic L 2 - 31959-60 Athenian League H Redhill D 2 - 21964-65 FA Amateur Cup 1st Round A Wealdstone L 0 - 31970-71 Athenian League Premier A Harwich & Parkeston L 0 - 21977-78 Athenian League A Erith & Belvedere D 1 - 11983-84 Isthmian League Division Two H Basildon United L 0 - 11987-88 Isthmian League Division One H Staines Town D 1 - 11995-96 Isthmian League Premier Division H Hayes D 3 - 31998-99 Isthmian League Division One A Chertsey Town D 2 - 22005-06 Football Conference National A Canvey Island L 1 - 22011-12 Isthmian League Division One North A Great Wakering Rovers W 1 - 02012-13 Isthmian League Division One North H Romford W 3 - 2

MAN OF THE MATCH AND PLAYER OFTHE MONTH SELECTIONS

DECEMBER 2015

Supporters have an opportunity to vote fortheir Man of the Match after every first teamgame this season. All you have to do is reg-ister on the fans’ forum at http://graysath-leticfc.proboards.com/, go to the section‘Man of the Match’ and cast your vote.Each month all the votes are added togeth-er to determine the ‘Player of the Month’and the results are reported here in thisMatch Day Programme. There is a bottle ofchampagne for the winner, donated by asupporter.

For December, we are delighted that GraysAthletic Supporters Trust Chairman andlong, long time supporter, Fred Wakeling, isthis month’s sponsor. Thank you, Fred. Hewill have the pleasure of presenting the bub-bly to our winner before this afternoon’smatch.

Following our seventeen wins and fivedraws in our thirty games between Augustand November, we stumbled in December,with just one win and a draw from our sixgames. The win was the emphatic four nilsuccess at Staines and we shared four goalsat Harrow against their tenants, Hendon. Alast minute defeat at Corinthian Casuals inthe F A Trophy and league defeats away atHampton and at home to VCD and DulwichHamlet, saw up slip to 12th place in theLeague table. We scored just eight goalsand conceded nine during the month. Based on your votes, the ‘Man of the Match’for each match was as follows :

Corinthian-Casuals (a) lost 0-1 – Jay LeaderVCD (h) lost 0-1 – Sean CroninHendon (a) drew 2-2 – Tommy CummingsHampton (a) lost 1-3 – Lamar JohnsonStaines (a) won 4 -0 – Bradley TomlinsonDulwich Hamlet (h) lost 1-2 – Jay Leader

It was a tight race again this time for the‘Player of the Month’ Award, with four play-ers in the running, who polled over 70% ofthe total votes cast.

In joint third place, it was defender SeanCronin who was the ‘Man of the Match’ in

our 1-0 home defeat to VCD and BradleyTomlinson who was voted ‘Man of the Match’after netting a terrific hat-trick in our soli-tary win of the month at Staines. The run-ner-up was goalkeeper, Lamar Johnson, whowas outstanding in restricting the score lineat Hampton, earning himself the ‘Man of theMatch’ accolade.

The winner in December, for the secondmonth in succession and the third time thisseason, was our accomplished defender, JayLeader (below), who polled over 20% of thevotes cast. He produced ‘Man of the Match’

performances, albeit in defeats, againstCorinthian-Casuals and Dulwich Hamlet.Congratulations yet again, Jay!

We must also again thank Glyn Balmer, ourProgramme Editor and Supporters TrustMembership Secretary and Phil Boston.After each game they publish the squad ofplayers involved in the match on the fans’forum, so we can all cast our vote for ourchoice of best player.

Grays Athletic

FC

Player

Q & A

Grays Athletic

FC

Unofficial

Fans’ Forum

The first in an occasional series of player

question and answer sessions with our very

own Quiz Inquizitor David “Bamber” Raven.

Name: Harry George Agombar

Age: 23

Position: CM/CAM

From: Loughton, Essex

Day job: Sleeping

Favourite food: Thai

Favourite film: Carlitos Way

Favourite music: RnB

Favourite TV: The Office

Not a lot of people know that: I love

Barcelona FC

2nd club after The Blues: Manchester

United

Best player in the world: The God Messi

Best Player Ever: Leo Messi

Which player would light up the pre-

mier league?: Neymar

Best ground played at: Old Trafford

Best player you have played with: Jack

Wilshere and Yaser Kasim

Best player you have played against:

Gareth Bale (Swindon v Spurs)

First off the training ground: Bradley

Tomlinson

Last off the training ground: Kenny

Beaney

King of Comedy: Glen Little

Victor Meldrew Award: Kenny Beaney

Pre-match ritual or superstition: Tom

tit and a dig in the grave

Favourite moment in Blue: Conference

debut as a 16 year old

Getting the blues in Blue: Losing to

Enfield Town in the play-off semi-final and

getting relegated last day of the season at

home in the Conference

Best moment in football: football league

debut for Swindon Town 

Grays Athletic

On Film

With thanks to

Peter Jackson

Hendonv

Grays Athletic

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Regular

Feature

The Wanderer

(Continued)

type of club. How do we get there? Peopleexpected us to go into the market and buy thebest players because of the money we had. Itwas, “Well, we’ll go and get Kaka”, but wecouldn’t even get in the room with him. It did-n’t matter how much money we had. It was ajoke. ‘It wasn’t the Man City of today, a worldpower, but we had to try and find a way. Interms of the learning experience and under-standing how people react it was invaluable.OK, results didn’t go particularly well so I wasat risk, but there were a lot power bases.You’d see people thinking, uh oh, I’ve got toprotect myself here.

‘Football magnifies human behaviour. Theonly way you can keep things stable is by win-ning football matches and there’s only the topfive or six clubs that can win consistently. Therest of us need good owners, good CEOs whounderstand the game, like I’ve got here atStoke. It was always only a matter of timebefore I was going to be replaced at City. Ithought there were two or three times I wouldbe sacked, but I made it into a second year.The decision was taken after the Hull game,which we drew.

‘Khaldoon, the chairman, flew in for theChelsea game because the expectation was wewould lose and he could sack me. We won, sohe flew back out. He flew back again and webeat Arsenal in the FA Cup and flew out again.Eventually, we beat Sunderland 4-3, but he’dmade his mind up, so I was toast.’ Hugheslearned to ski during a six-month break, beganto keep a reflective diary, but made a series oferrors which hinted at an underlying confusion.He caused mortal offence by leaving Fulham tofind a club which matched his supposed ambi-tion and walked blindly into the man trap atLoftus Road. His loyalty to his friend and advis-er Kia Joorabchian, a controversial figure whoexposed Hughes to accusations of vested inter-ests was admirable, in its way, but reckless.

‘I think when I came to Stoke, the club wasready to do things in a different way on a lot oflevels. I could be honest. Nobody’s right,nobody’s wrong. You’re only right if you winfootball matches, so that helped my situation.I think everyone wanted me to succeedbecause they were ready for change. ‘I under-stood the club’s demographic. I came from acouncil estate. You think council estates aregreat when you’re a kid, but you mother’sthinking, I’ve got to get him out of here, youknow? The area is low-income and people havethe football club right within their midst. Somuch focus is on the game at the weekend.There’s a danger if football ignores that,because it’s a potential consequence of theamount of money coming into the game. Weneed a lot of football people at the top levelwhose upbringing gives them an understanding

of how difficult life is and the value of a pound.‘I didn’t really have a father figure as we werea one-parent family, but I never saw the differ-ence between friends of mine who had a mumand dad in terms of the clothes I was wearing.My mum was working, so when she wasn’tthere my gran was there. I had to stand on myown two feet, because sometimes mum wasgone before I woke up and I had to get myselfready for school. You’re shaped by your ownexperiences, I’m sure.’

The largely unearned wealth of the game haschanged its dynamics, because the workforce isincreasingly cosmopolitan. Like all leadingmanagers, Hughes has had to develop discre-tion, due to the diversity of his dressing room.‘Ours is more British-based, I’d suggest, so youcan dig people out on occasion. You have to bemore conscious that different nationalities can’tdeal with being confronted with people. Youhave to pull them out individually, or you losethem totally.’ Recruitment at Stoke, a notablesuccess, is a modern collegiate process involv-ing a technical director, who accepts Hugheshas the final say on transfers. Preparation isscientific and, judging by his eagerness toshare the secrets if his loose-leaf folder, asource of some pride.

‘Every session I’ve done since I became amanager is in here. Every session is logged, sowhen we have a similar phase of games, I canrefer back to them. We work on load andintensity, but also on freshness. Logic tells youif they’re not fresh at the weekend they’re notgoing to perform, so the quality of work has tobe right and the quantity accurate. Sciencetells you that by increasing the workload everyweek, they should be getting stronger, but stillbe as fresh at the end as they were at thebeginning. Some teams peak, get to Christmasand fall off the edge of the cliff. My teamsdon’t usually do that. When you get it right asa manager it is undoubtedly as fulfilling asscoring a winning goal because the responsibil-ity lies with you. ‘I think I can achieve thingshere. We are in a league where there is a hugeamount of financial strength, which we haven’tgot, so we have to achieve in a different way.But at a top club, you’re just keeping themwhere they have always been. Come here andbe successful and people will remember you forever.’

Another interesting insight into a man “livingon the volcano”, but surviving in the unforgiv-ing football environment. Don’t miss out onfuture copies of our top-value Match DayProgramme. Soon you will be able to readabout the ‘Self-made Man’ - Alan Pardew - thenext England Manager?

THE WANDERER

Grays Athletic

FC

GAFC

Supporters Trust

Two weeks without my football fix has

made me appreciate Christmas even more

! I have to admit that I wasn’t overly dis-

appointed (or surprised) to see that the

Brentwood game was off due to a water-

logged pitch, as the 1pm kick off would

have made it difficult for me to make from

my new found base in deepest darkest East

Sussex (so much nicer than West Sussex!).

It’s not the journey time which would have

caused an issue, more that I was on in-law

chauffeur duty that day. I know my place.

So, thinks I, if the Grays Athletic game is

off, maybe this will give me a chance to

acquaint myself with my local team of

Crowborough Town from the lofty Southern

Counties East Football League, who were

playing at home to Sevenoaks Town. Alas,

once again the chauffeur duties took prior-

ity and I arrived back 15 minutes into the

second half – too late to make the visit

worthwhile. Happily, Crowborough came

away with a 3-1 victory, so all was not lost.

As you will hopefully have seen on the

unofficial forum, we are hoping to run a

supporters coach to our away fixture at

Needham Market on Tuesday 12th January

2016, leaving The Oak around 5pm. If you

are interested in joining us, please contact

either David Barnes or Mike Love, who

have valiantly stepped up to the mark as

voluntary coach organisers in place of the

illustrious Colin Tillett – a hard act to fol-

low indeed. Let’s hope they don’t forget to

get the biscuits in for the raffle.

As you will have read in Benno’s column,

the enforced two week lay off has given

the club an opportunity to try out a few

different moves in training, so here’s hop-

ing they can be put to good use during

today’s local derby against East Thurrock

United. Let’s make some New Year noise

for the boys and hope we witness a full-

blooded local derby, culminating in a well-

deserved three points for the boys in blue.

Come on you Blues !

Glyn Balmer (glynbo), Membership

Secretary, Grays Athletic 1890

Supporters Trust

HELP US TO HELP YOU!

GAFC 1890 SUPPORTERS TRUST

Every month the GAFC 1890 Supporters

Trust holds an update meeting. High on the

agenda each month is how best to commu-

nicate the items discussed at the meeting

to the Trust membership and supporters in

general. As members will be aware, we

request an email address on the member-

ship form and it is our hope that we can

use email as the principal method of com-

munication with Trust members. This is

especially important when we are dis-

cussing any financial matters in and

around the Trust since – naturally – only

Trust members are entitled to see Trust

financial information.

The purpose of this short article is to

request all Trust members to send a confir-

mation email to Yours Truly at the email

address below, so I may update the mem-

bership records accordingly. The Trust fully

appreciates that not all members possess

an email address, so if you are in that cat-

egory please let me know at any match and

I shall update my records accordingly, and

arrange an alternative method of commu-

nication. Thanks in advance. Please note

my new email address below.

Glyn Balmer (glynbo)

GAFC 1890 Trust Membership

Secretary

glyn.balmer@outlook.com

have said, “Well, maybe that’s not the right typefor a manager.” I think it has actually helpedme, because when I make a point, forcefully orstrongly, it has more resonance because it’s asurprise. You’re not the life and soul of theparty, but you can have more impact.’

His coaching ambitions coalesced throughexposure to a different type of character and amore intense form of respect, when he movedto Chelsea in 1995. Hughes began to changeits nature in the pre Abramovich era, with otherimports such as Ruud Gullit, Zola and Vialli.‘I was part of the furniture at United. It wasn’tthe case that people came to me for advicebecause others were more ready to impart thatadvice. Chelsea were a mid-table team.Whenever I spoke in the dressing room aboutwhat I’d done, just in conversation, I sensedthat the younger players sat up and took notice.I thought that maybe I could affect them in apositive way. ‘Playing was still my focus, butthat was around the time I started doing mycoaching badges, so an idea was ready to ger-minate. I learned a lot from the Italian lads. Isaw their self-discipline, how they preparedproperly. I looked at Vialli, who sometimes felthe wasn’t getting what he needed to be theplayer he was in Italy. Our game was refereeddifferently and he was expecting to be givenfreekicks, so he’d go down a bit too easily. Ittook him about twelve months to understandthat he needed to resist and stay on his feet.

‘I know for a fact he worked right through thesummer that second year to get physicallystronger to cope with the demands. If, aftertraining sessions, he found he’d not had enoughhe’d do it himself, because he knew what heneeded to be the best. His success was nocoincidence. It was similar with other playerslike Zola, Beckham and Cantona. They trainedmore and that’s why they were so good.’

Like life in general, fate seems to play a dis-concerting role in determining an individual’sdirection. Hughes had no real thoughts ofstarting out as Wales manager in 1999, whenBobby Gould resigned. ‘Bobby, bless him in hiswisdom, recommended myself and NevilleSouthall to do it. I’d done my badges, butbecause I was still playing I hadn’t reallythought too much about where it was going totake me. I decided to carry on as a player atEverton at the time and then Blackburn. All ofa sudden I was getting knocks on my door athalf past eight in the morning, with people say-ing, “Right, boss, what are we doing?” I had tolearn quickly, but if you walk into a situationwhere people want you to do well, then you’vegot half a chance. That was certainly the casehere at Stoke and certainly with Wales.

‘There’s no right or wrong way to manage.You can be autocratic, or a bit more empathet-ic. Players can smell if you’re trying to besomething you’re not. I was honest in saying,listen, I’m trying to find my way here, I’m try-ing to do things better than they were done

before.’ The influence of Sir Alex Ferguson isnot as strong as is popularly assumed, althoughHughes did seek his advice on how to rehabili-tate himself after the QPR farrago. He is moreself-taught, a student of other sports and asurfer of TED talks, an online source of morethan 1,900 lectures on a range of issues.

‘I’m always being asked about formative influ-ences. There are markers I’ll revert back to.I’m forever trying to get the best bits of infor-mation that will help me do my job. The AllBlacks’ leadership philosophy is really good.Some think if you allow people to develop andbecome leaders they become a threat, butactually it makes them better at what they do.The higher you go, the more players have self-responsibility.’

This reminded me of a lovely anecdote fromthe Saxtons’ managerial era here at Grays.There was a training session where one of theplayers suggested it was a bit disorganised andhe shouted across the dressing room, “Who’s incharge around here?”. Fred Saxton, in his owninimitable style responded, “I’d like to think weare each in charge of our own destiny.” Classic.Hughes’ four years as Wales manager was fol-lowed by his first club job at Blackburn in 2004.It was a seamless transition. ‘When I got theopportunity I had a philosophy, clear ideasabout how I expected my team to play, performand behave. When you’re a player and you gostraight into management, you don’t usuallyhave that. If you were a right back you mightknow everything about being a right back, butyou don’t know how it relates to centre halvesor midfield players, or the striker, so you haveto re-educate yourself in terms of what footballis all about. In the Wales job, I knew how toplay up front and score goals. But did I reallyknow what I did and how it affected someoneelse? Not really. I wish I was playing now. I’dbe a great player because I know a lot moreand have a better understanding of everybody’sneeds. Trouble is I can’t run…!’

Managing Blackburn, in essence another four-year apprenticeship, was a positive experience.He developed a broader understanding of thecomplexities of running a Premier League clubfrom John Williams, the sort of quietly efficientchief executive he could have done with atManchester City, where he was saddled with arhinestone cowboy named Garry Cook. ‘Citywas an unbelievable experience. I moved fromBlackburn because I thought it was a step up,bigger crowds, bigger stadium just a biggerclub. The reality was that it wasn’t bigger, interms of what was underpinning the club andthe quality of people who were there. It’s easyto forget it was a mid-table club. There were alot of changes to manage, even before the per-ception changed overnight, with the new own-ers.

‘It was, OK, the owners want us to be this

Continued over

Meet Our

Visitors

East Thurrock

United FC

FOR the fifth consecutive season East

Thurrock will compete in the Ryman

Premier Division. Last season saw the club

end the campaign in an unfamiliar mid-

table slot. In their previous three cam-

paigns they had found themselves compet-

ing for a play-of spot or, in a dramatic end

to the 13-14 season coming through a last

day battle to avoid the drop.

Not that last season wasn’t without its

high. For the second time in the club’s his-

tory they made it through to the FA Cup

first round – enjoyed an away day at

Division Two Hartlepool United, where they

went down 2-0 but gave a great account of

themselves. Rocks were promoted to the

Ryman premier after winning the Ryman

One North title in 2010-11 after a cam-

paign which saw them battle throughout

for top spot with Needham Market. In the

end John Coventry's side emerged victori-

ous - and in the final sprint won by a hand-

some margin.

The Rocks were founded in April 1969 by

enthusiasts who felt the expanding area

around the towns of Corringham and

Stanford-le-Hope needed a senior non-

league football club. The Corringham

Social Sunday side formed the basis for the

new team but there were hurdles to over-

come for the new club including finding a

suitable ground. During the first season as

members of the Southern Essex Combin-

ation in 1969/70 the home matches were

played at Corringham Recreation Ground.

Manager Brian Fayers guided the club to

third place during the initial season and

was a key figure in the team's formation.

The following season the Rocks moved up

to the Intermediate section of the old

Greater London League.

Success followed for the club, now play-

ing at the Billet, Stanford-le-Hope, winning

division two and one in of the league. The

side then applied to the Essex FA for sen-

ior status. After moving in with Grays

Athletic, the club was admitted to the

Senior Division Two of the Metropolitan

London League. Following a third champi-

onship in a row, the club won promotion to

the Premier Division. But there was a ten

year period of struggle as the founding

fathers of the club stepped down.

There were managerial and ground

changes with the team at the Billet and

then at Tilbury FC.

After joining the Essex Senior League in

1979 the Rocks changed ground again to

the former Thames Board Mills ground,

Purfleet. With loans from the Football

Association, Thurrock Council and Greene

King the club was able to buy its site in

Corringham and played its first match

there in 1984. The club won its first senior

trophy, the League Cup, in the 1988/89

season and won again in 1992. An applica-

tion to the Isthmian League was successful

and the following season the Rocks joined

Division Three. Lee Patterson was appoint-

ed manager at the start of the 1999-2000

season and guided them to the Ryman

Division Three Championship title and pro-

motion to Division Two, breaking every

club record en-route.

Patterson left during the next season with

The Rocks sitting top of the table. Along

with him went many of the players and the

club slid down the table but still finished in

the top half. 2002/03 saw the formation of

Division One North and also new owners at

Rookery Hill.

After a poor start to the season with the

club bottom of the league, the new owners

offered Patterson the job again. Rocks

climbed out of trouble and picked up an

impressive 45 points after Christmas.

Silverware also returned to Rookery Hill

with the East Anglian Cup being won for

the first time with a 1-0 victory over Long

Melford.2003/04 saw the club reach the F.A

Cup 4th qualifying round for the first timeContinued over

Regular

Feature

By

The Wanderer

LIVING ON THE VOLCANO – SECRETS OFSURVIVING AS A FOOTBALL MANAGERI have been reading a book written by Michael

Calvin, chief sports writer with the Independenton Sunday, which exposes the lives of footballmanagers from the lower levels to the PremierLeague. Through the columns of this Match DayMagazine, I am including some of his uniqueinsights about a trade where managers requireruthlessness and empathy, idealism and cun-ning. I offer my take on some of his findingsand acknowledge his outstanding work in theprocess.

I have already covered stories about MartinLing, Aidy Boothroyd, Gareth Ainsworth, GaryWaddock, Joe Dunne, Ian Holloway and ShaunDerry. Today, it’s a man who as a player wontwo Premier League titles, four FA Cups, threeLeague Cups and two European Cup Winners’Cups. He spent four years as Wales manager,before he took his first club job at Blackburn in2004. Subsequent manager roles have fol-lowed at Manchester City, Fulham, Queens ParkRangers and now he is subtly reshaping StokeCity, a club popularly defined by the muscular-ity and diligence of the Tony Pulis era.

Mark Hughes had the assiduous air of a coun-ty solicitor, taking instructions on the last willand testament of a valued client. He leanedforward attentively, listened with respect andwas clear and concise in his professional judge-ment. Here was a man of stature, conscious ofhis rank. His iPad, used constantly for researchpurposes, was placed on the coffee table of hisstraight-backed office chair, which looked outon to the main pitch at Stoke City’s trainingground.

Football management is a hall of mirrors,which can flatter or distort and it was difficultto resolve the contradiction between theassured figure who had found a niche at anunashamedly blue-collar club and his previousincarnation, as someone who oversaw strategicand spiritual chaos at QPR for ten months in2012. When asked about his time thereHughes said: ‘I think at the time I was harddone by. A lot of people thought I’d do well toget back after that, certainly at Premier Leaguelevel. I felt I was getting judged on twelvegames at the beginning of a season where I’dmanaged three hundred odd games in thePremier League, so I was sustained by thehope people would look beyond that.

‘The first few weeks after being sacked arehard to take because there is a sense of frus-tration. I’ve never been bitter, because theonly person you hurt in that circumstance isyourself. I’ve always taken the view that youjust park it, move on and look for the nextopportunity. If you do that, then you won’t getdamaged by it. ‘At the end of the first seasonat QPR it was great. We stayed in the Premier

League, but I new that group of players wasn’tgood enough to keep us there. I brought innine, ten players that summer. You make deci-sions and bring in better quality. Of the ladsthat went out of the club, not one got a PremierLeague contract, which tells you that maybethey weren’t quite good enough at that level.The dynamic of the group is the key. If it does-n’t gel quickly, it becomes really difficult. Wehad guys coming in from a higher level, guysfrom abroad who were good quality, but it wastheir first season in the Premier League. Wehad other guys who were conscious that maybeI was looking to move them out.

‘There was a lack of trust all round. Theowner and the CEO had no Premier Leagueexperience. The factors for a stable baseweren’t in place. I just got spread a little thin-ly and lost my focus in terms of the players.We tried to get them on board and working inthe same direction, but it was too fragmented.‘I’m now at a good club in Stoke, with goodpeople. They have been in the Premier Leaguefor six years, so guys who come up through theChampionship, but can’t sustain you long term,are natural wastage. It’s been more measuredand people left at the right time, whereas atQPR we were trying to irritate people to makethem go, because it was probably in their bestinterests. They’d say, “Well if you want us togo, you’ll have to pay us,” so it was a car crash.’Something became immediately apparent.Hughes seemed suited temperamentally to amore structured, relatively stable working envi-ronment. When he found that as a player atManchester United and then at Chelsea andBlackburn Rovers, he was successful. He alsoexcelled at Blackburn as a manager and isdoing the same at Stoke.

When that supportive ethos is conspicuous byits absence, as it was in the politically febrileatmosphere when he managed Manchester Cityand QPR, problems arise. Like his time as aplayer at Barcelona when he was brought in topartner Gary Lineker. Lineker had more acutepolitical antennae and sharper social skills.Hughes was more reserved, better suited to thetranquility and introspection of North Wales,where he had been brought up by his motherand grandmother. He preferred to observe.

That trait should never be confused withweakness. After single seasons at Barcelonaand Bayern Munich, he returned for a pivotalsecond spell at Old Trafford and was developinga singular leadership style, almost subcon-sciously.

‘It was a strong dressing room. Brucie andGary Pallister used to shout all the time, but itwas just noise. It was important noise,because it got people’s attention. My voicewasn’t the strongest, but I had views. My per-sonality is one of an introvert. Some people

Meet Our

Visitors

East Thurrock

United FC

eventually losing to Conference side

Woking 2-0 after a 1-1 draw at Rookery

Hill. In the same season Rocks were in with

a chance of promotion till April and a fix-

ture backlog eventually took its toll.

2004/05 saw the club switch to the

Southern League in an FA re-structure. The

club were never out of the top five all sea-

son and finished runners-up to Fisher

Athletic and the promotion that followed

was to the Ryman Premier. Rocks survived

their first two seasons in the Premier with-

out too much trouble but last season,

despite heading the table in the early

stages, they found it more of a struggle,

particularly after Patterson left in the

autumn to take over at Conference South

Braintree.

Patterson's assistant, John Coventry, took

over the reins but they were eventually rel-

egated by the cruellest of margins, one

deducted point. It looked as if Rocks would

bounce back at the first attempt but they

lost out on the Ryman One North title in a

last day defeat by Aveley and then bowed

out in the play-off to Concord Rangers - a

fate that was to befall them again the fol-

lowing season after finishing fifth.

However, it was to prove to be third time

lucky in 2011.

Tom Anderson (Defender/Midfield).

Signed first team forms for the Rocks

aged just 16. Has been a part of the Rocks

set-up coming through the club's youth

ranks and also helping out on first team

matchdays. Played at Burnham Ramblers in

the Ryman One North last season as part

of his ongoing development.

George Craddock (Midfield).

Signed after leaving Ryman Premier pro-

motion winners Margate at the end of last

season, during which he suffered a serious

injury that sidelined him for a lengthy

spell. George had signed for the Kent club

from Northampton Town last summer after

the previous season on 'work experience'

from the Cobblers at Welling where he

helped the Wings win the Conference

South title and promotion. Had a spell on

loan at Ryman South Merstham last season

who won promotion to the Ryman Premier

in the play-offs.

Mitchell Gilbey (Midfield).

Joined the Rocks two seasons ago from

neighbours Canvey. An energetic midfield-

er who reads the game well and is noted

for his passing ability. Popped up with

some very useful goals last season.

Rickie Hayles (Centre half).

A close season signing, Rickie had a brief

spell with Rocks three seasons ago. He

played at Canvey Island and then moving

to Lowestoft Town in the Conference South

where he made 22 appearances for the

Trawlerboys before moving to fellow

Conference South side Bishops Stortford

for the closing stages of the season.

Previously an iconic defender at AFC

Hornchurch and where he helped the

Urchins win promotion in the 2011/12 sea-

son and numbers Thurrock, Tilbury, Eton

Manor and Brentwood Town among his

past clubs.

Harry Honesty (Midfield/Striker).

Harry dropped out of senior football last

season, playing in the Essex Olympian

League but the fast-paced youngster is

back in the Ryman Premier where he previ-

ously played for neighbours Thurrock.

Sam Higgins (Striker).

Prolific goalscorer who won the Ryman

League’s golden boot last season and was

also the top non-league scorer in the coun-

try. For the two previous seasons Sam has

started the season at Conference South

clubs, last year at Bromley, but returned to

was agreed to allow him to joinShrewsbury Town as a non-contract playerin August but, after a couple of games, hewas released and signed for ConferenceSouth St. Albans City. In February 2008having trained with Southport, he signedfor League Two Macclesfield Town and thefollowing August, moved to his finalLeague club, Accrington Stanley.

Later that season he trained withBournemouth before signing for Confer-ence National side, Weymouth in March2009 as they staged a vain attempt to holdon to their status, a 1-2 loss at home toYork City in what was a relegation decider,condemning them to the Conference Souththe following April. In the summer of 2009he moved to Woking and, in the October ofthe same year, he signed for the MightyBlues. His first game was a 1-2 loss toWrexham at the Racecourse Ground inWales and, unfortunately, that seemed toset a pattern as Fola never appeared on a

winning side for Grays Athletic. The near-est he came was when he scored his firstgoal for us in a 3-3 draw with Barrow atThe Rec. on 31 October, his home debutand the opening goal of the game. The sixfeet, seven inches striker impressedBarrow captain, Paul Jones, who said 'thebig fella was certainly a handful'. After thatwe couldn't win a game and, in January2010, he was released. He'd scored threegoals in seven Conference games and alsomade an appearance in the Essex SeniorCup when we lost 0-1 to Chelmsford City.

After leaving the Mighty Blues he had tri-als with Bradford City and also went ontrial in Denmark with HB Koge but nothingcame of it and he has since played forSouthport, Boreham Wood, Staines Town,Tooting & Mitcham United and Cheshunt.He works for a company called BostonLink, a company who deals in recruitmentin the Financial and i-gaming world inEngland, Isle Of Man and Malta.

Cambridge United's Fola Onibuje holdsoff Grays Athletic’s Stuart Thurgood.

Pic with thanks to Gavin Ellis

Rocks for the start of this campaign and

had 15 goals from 14 games before suffer-

ing a serious hamstring injury that has

ruled him out since the game against

Brentwood in late October.

Kris Newby (Midfield/Striker).

Back at Rookery Hill for a third time in his

career, free-scoring Newby was influential

in helping AFC Sudbury to the Ryman One

North play-offs last season. Some-thing of

a ‘prodigal son’ to Rocks boss John

Coventry, who has nurtured his talents

since he was a boy, Newby has had many

of his best football moment in a Rocks shirt

but has also impressed at clubs including

Grays Athletic and Witham Town.

Sammy Knott (Defender/Midlfield).

Sammy was recruited to the Rocks squad

after spending last season with Aveley FC.

Previously he was with Concord Rangers

where he played 18 times for the

Beachboys, scoring once, in their promo-

tion winning campaign from the Ryman

Premier League. Knott came through the

youth set-up at Concord, making his debut

for the first team at the age of 16 and also

gained senior experience with Great

Wakering Rovers, then in the Essex Senior

League, under dual registration.

Lukas Lidakevicius (Goalkeeper).

Close season acquisition. 22-year-old

Lukas has returned to the UK after a spell

in his native Lithuania with A-League side FK

Zalgiris during which time he represented his

country at U21 level, playing in the European

Championships qualifying competition.

During his career he played Youth team foot-

ball at Fulham and the joined Barnsley.

Ashley Miller (Midfield/Defender).

Recently joined East Thurrock from

Chelmsford City, who he had joined in the

close season from Bishops Stortford. Miller

was a key member of the Bishops squad

last season when he was awarded the

BSFC Players' Player of the Year and the

Manager's Player of the Year, a double that

he'd also achieved at Canvey Island prior

to signing up at the ProKit UK Stadium.

Simon Peddie (Central Defender).

Joined Rocks midway through 2011-12

season from Redbridge where he played

more than 100 games. Work commitment

mean his is not able to be a regular starter

but nevertheless he remains an integral

part of the squad and a very popular play-

er with supporters.

Daryl Robson (Midfield).

Joined Rocks from Brentwood Town in

October 2015. As a youngster came

through the youth ranks at Middlesbrough

where he was a member of the FA Youth

Cup winning squad. On his release from

Boro played in both Ireland, for Galway

and Bray Wanderers, and in the USA for

Indiana Invaders. In between he featured

for Grays Athletic in the Conference and

also played for Hemel Hempstead.

Kye Ruel (Midfield).

Another player who has returned to the

Rocks fold. Highly versatile player with an

eye for goal who includes Leiston, Witham

Town and Aveley among previous clubs.

Ryan Sammons (Right Back).

Now in his 8th season, Ryan has made

over 325 appearances for the Rocks. He

represented England schools U18's before

spending a year playing University "soccer"

in America. He joined the Rocks in 2008

and played an important part in the club’s

Ryman North winning campaign and also in

the clubs’ historic FA cup runs.

Ryan Scott (Centre-half).

Another highly-rated young footballer.

Ryan played much of last season at the

heart of the Billericay Town defence. Ryan

came through the youth set-up at Barnet

and has previously played for Wingate &

Finchley.

Continued over

FOLA ONIBUJE.Born:25 September 1984, Lagos, Nigeria.Clubs : Huddersfield Town (Loan), Barn-sley, Peterborough United, CambridgeUnited, Swindon Town, Brentford (Loan),Wycombe Wanderers, Shrewsbury Town,St. Albans City, Macclesfield Town,Accrington Stanley, Weymouth, Woking,Grays Athletic, Southport, Boreham Wood,Staines Town, Tooting & Mitcham Unitedand Cheshunt.

A striker who, although born in Lagos,Nigeria, was brought up in West Londonwhere he was educated at ChiswickCommunity School. His original prowess asa sportsman was as a sprinter where healmost made the Britain junior squadbefore football took over. It was withCharlton Athletic that he first got taken onas a Youth trainee but he earned his firstprofessional contract with Preston NorthEnd in November 2002. His first Leagueexperience came in November 2003 whenhe joined Division Three side, HuddersfieldTown on a month's loan. His League debutcame at the McAlpine Stadium, Hudders-field on 29 November 2003 when he cameon as a substitute for Paul Scott in a 0-0draw with Cheltenham Town. By January2004 he had returned to Deepdale and, inJuly 2004, he signed for Barnsley withoutmaking a first-team appearance with TheLilywhites. The following March, he signedfor relegation-bound, Peterborough Unitedof League One and was released in thespring of 2005, signing for Conferenceside, Cambridge United. He had the mostsuccessful season of his professionalcareer at the Abbey Stadium, scoring ninegoals in thirty-four appearances but, withthe financial restrictions within the club atthe time and a change of manager, he wasreleased and signed with League TwoSwindon Town on a three-months contractin July 2006 although this was extended toa year the following month. A regular untilthe end of October, he moved to LeagueOne Brentford on loan in November but, onhis return, found he was not part of newRobins' Manager, Paul Sturrock's plans andmoved to Wycombe Wanderers in January2007.

While at Wycombe Wanderers, he wascalled into the Nigeria U-23 Olympic Squadto help them qualify for the 2008 OlympicGames in Beijing, China and helped thembeat Liberia to progress. In July 2007 hefound he was outcast at Adams Park andShrewsbury Town wanted to sign him onloan. The Chairboys were about to go ontour to Germany and he was not one of theparty and, naturally, wanted to leave. It

Regular

Feature

By Paddles

O’Maddles

Grays Athletic

Kit Sponsorship

Season

2015-16

JAY LEADER

Peter Jackson

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Lifetime Wills

PERRY TAMBURRINI GUS DOUGLAS

JOEL NOUBLE

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ALEx ADDAI

Janet Packer

TOMMY CUMMINGS

Tony Packer

LAMAR REYNOLDS

David Seaman

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MATCH OR BALL

PLEASE SPEAK TO STEVE SKINNER

Meet Our

Visitors

East Thurrock

United FC

Lewis Smith (Midfield./Forward).

Attack-mind player with an eye for goal

who was a popular player at Hornchurch

for several seasons, helping them to the

Conference South before trying his hand

abroad. Returned to UK for the 2013-14

and played a big part in keeping the Rocks

in the Ryman Premier and built on that

reputation last season where he was a fre-

quent goalmaker and also scored a dozen

times.

James Walker (Striker).

A much travelled and experienced striker

who spent last season with Bishops

Stortford. A former England under-18

international Walker was released by

Charlton in 2006, but was invited back on

a trial by new manager Iain Dowie during

pre-season, and he impressed by scoring

against Millwall, Germinal Beerschot and

Hibern-ian, earning a new one-year con-

tract. Has since played for Hartlepool

United, Bristol Rovers, Leyton Orient, Notts

County and Yeovil Town on loan before

joining Southend United. After a loan spell

at Gilingham he signed for Conference

South side Woking in 2011 and then played

for Dover Athletic and Eastbourne Boro-

ugh. While at Eastbourne, Walker was

called up to play for Antigua and Barbuda,

coming on as a second-half substitute

against Guatemala in a 2014 World Cup

qualifier. Walker left Eastbourne for per-

sonal reasons in February 2013 and moved

to Australia with former Eastbourne

Borough player Marvin Hamilton to play in

the Brisbane Premier League for Albany

Creek Excelsior. His first game was against

UQFC on 29 June. In August 2014, Walker

re-signed for Conference South side

Eastbourne Borough after a successful pre-

season trial. However with fitness prob-

lems and not scoring in his first 15 appear-

ances Walker was told by manager Tommy

Widdrington that he could start to look for

a new club and he joined Bishop's

Stortford.

Ben Wood (Defender).

Centre back at the 'veteran' stage of his

career but has been one of the most out-

standing players in Rocks' history. Carved

out a name for himself at Conference level

with clubs including Thurrock and then

joined Rocks where he played a big role in

guiding them back to the Ryman Premier

Division. Has 'retired' twice in recent sea-

sons but has come back to help out the

club when they have had defensive prob-

lems. A firefighter by trade.

Tom Wraight (Defender/Midfield).

Another highly-rated young player who

was among manager John Coventry’s close

season acquisitions. Tom came through the

youth set-up at Tilbury FC before joining

Witham Town where he impressed enough

to earn an extended trial at Ipswich Town.

John Coventry (Manager).

A popular character on the South East

non-League scene. Widely regarded as an

astute coach with a good eye for a young

player. John was a tanker driver for BP

based at nearby Coryton Refinery for many

years before he became a sports teacher at

a local school. Devoted to football, an in

possession of many coaching qualifica-

tions, he has been coaching the District

youth side for many years and many play-

ers from Thurrock have gone on to gradu-

ate to the Football League after benefiting

from his experience. No mean striker him-

self at local football level John continued

playing into his fifties, and still turns out in

charity and veterans games from time to

time.

Jay Devereux (Coach).

Former Redbridge manager joined the

team two seasons ago to bring a different

Grays Athletic

Kit Sponsorship

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2015-16

MARK BENTLEY

(Manager)

Glyn Jarvis

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(Coach)

David Barnes

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(Youth Development)

Sponsorship Available

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(Physio)

Paragon Independent Limited

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(Kit Man)

David Barnes

KENNY BEANEY

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Anthony Auger

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Fred Wakeling

MASON BLOOMFIELD

Brian Page

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Peter Jackson

LAMAR JOHNSON

George Watts

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Phil Boston

BRADLEY TOMLINSON

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Glyn Jarvis

JAMES STEVENS

Glyn Balmer

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OUR OPPONENTS LATEST RESULTS

21/11/2015 Isth. League Premier Div. H Wingate & Finchley D 1 - 1

24/11/2015 Isth. League Premier Div. H Farnborough W 4 - 1

28/11/2015 FA Trophy - 3Q A Merthyr Town D 1 - 1

01/12/2015 FA Trophy - 3Q Replay H Merthyr Town W 3 - 1

05/12/2015 Isth.League Premier Div. H Lewes W 4 - 1

12/12/2015 FA Trophy - 1st Round H Maidenhead United L 1 - 4

19/12/2015 Isth. League Premier Div. A Kingstonian W 4 - 1

26/12/2015 Isth. League Premier Div. H Enfield Town W 1 - 0

RECENT MATCHES WITH OUR OPPONENTS

04/08/1971 Friendly H L 0 - 3

02/08/1972 Friendly H W 4 - 2

02/08/1977 Friendly H D 0 - 0

15/08/1978 Friendly H W 4 - 0

26/02/1985 Friendly H D 0 - 0

07/08/1986 Friendly A W 4 - 0

06/12/1988 Friendly H W 4 - 0

14/09/1991 FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round A D 1 - 1

17/09/1991 FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round Replay H W 2 - 1

03/11/1998 Essex Thameside Trophy A W 2 - 1

17/12/2002 League Cup - Isthmian 3rd Round A W 1 - 0

14/07/2005 Friendly A W 1 - 0

16/07/2009 Friendly A D 1 - 1

02/03/2011 Isth. League Division 1N H L 1 - 3

25/04/2011 Isth. League Division 1N A L 0 - 4

06/11/2012 Essex Senior Cup 3rd Round H W 2 - 0

24/08/2013 Isthmian League Premier Div. A L 0 - 3

12/03/2014 Isthmian League Premier Div. H W 2 - 0

27/12/2014 Isthmian League Premier Div. H L 1 - 3

06/04/2015 Isthmian League Premier Div. A W 2 - 0

07/10/2015 League Cup - Isthmian 2nd Round H D 2 - 2

Meet Our

Visitors

East Thurrock

United FC

view to the bench. Regarded by John

Coventry as one of his 'best signings'. Has

also been manager of Ford United and a

coach at the school of excellence at

Dagenham & Redbridge.

Joe Keith (Midfield - Coach).

Experienced former professional who

numbers Colchester United, Bristol City,

Leyton Orient, Shrewsbury Town and

Brentford among his former clubs.

Primarily a midfielder, Keith can also play

as a full back. Started his career at West

Ham United as a trainee. Now first team

coach at East Thurrock as well as a valu-

able member of the playing squad.

Regular

Feature

50 Shades

Of Grays

Appearance

& Scorers

Season

2015-16

Grays Ath.

Career

Start Sub. Tot Goals Yell. Reds Apps Goals

Apps

Alex Addai 8 8 16 2 1 0 16 2

Harry Agombar 13 7 20 2 0 0 103 17

Montel Agyemang 12 3 15 0 0 0 15 0

Kenny Beaney 19 3 22 2 2 0 222 18

Mark Bentley 8 9 17 0 3 0 53 2

Mason Bloomfield 4 7 11 1 0 0 11 1

Daniel Burnett-Williams 2 1 3 1 0 0 3 1

Joao Carlos 30 2 32 4 4 0 249 71

Alex Cathline 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0

Sean Cronin 31 0 31 2 6 0 40 4

Tommy Cummings 13 0 13 0 0 0 13 0

Correy Davidson 0 1 1 0 0 0 13 1

Laste Dombaxe 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0

Gus Douglas 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0

Dumebi Dumaka 24 0 24 19 4 1 65 33

Calvin Ekpiteta 0 2 2 0 0 0 2 0

Nathan Ferguson 16 0 16 0 1 0 33 1

Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson 28 1 29 13 3 0 42 16

Jamie Fuller 1 1 2 0 0 0 2 0

Kofi Halliday 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0

Jake Hutchings 8 1 9 1 0 0 13 1

Luke Ifil 32 0 32 1 1 0 32 1

Lamar Johnson 34 0 34 0 4 0 94 0

George Kamurasi 2 0 2 0 0 0 60 0

Jay Leader 31 0 31 3 3 1 87 7

Glen Little 2 12 14 1 0 0 42 2

Callum Maltese 2 2 4 2 0 0 4 2

Roman Michael-Percil 17 13 30 3 0 0 30 3

Brian Moses 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 2

Max Nicholson 3 0 3 0 1 0 3 0

Germaine Ofori 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0

Jermaine Osei 1 4 5 0 0 0 5 0

Lamar Reynolds 3 14 17 0 0 0 17 0

Jey Siva 25 0 25 0 0 0 74 0

James Stevens 22 4 26 4 2 0 48 8

Perry Tamburini 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0

Ruddock Yala 1 2 3 0 0 0 33 3

UP TO AND INCLUDING SATURDAY 19TH DECEMBER 2015

The Christmas without football Hello everybody, happy new year and

welcome to 2016, a year that hopefullypromises many good things for all of you.This Christmas has been one of thewarmest in the UK that I can remember, Idon't think that those old foes of nonleague football pitches, frost and ice, havemade an appearance yet, so naturally Iwas looking forward to a festive feast offootball. As I'm sure you all know, it didn'tquite work out like that! On 22ndDecember the away game to Billericay waspostponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Tobe fair it had rained a lot and I wasn't toosurprised as their pitch is already wetterthan a snowman standing by a radiator! Bythe time Boxing Day had arrived I waslooking forward to getting outside andwatching some football. I was staying inGrays over Christmas and woke up on the26th to a clear morning and dare I say it abit of sunshine and warmth! The problemwas that by the time I had got up, ourgame away at Brentwood had already beencalled off! It was bizarre, I had driven pastBrentwood’s ground on Christmas Eve onmy last day at work before shutdown andfrom my elevated position in my van thepitch looked beautiful, coupled with thefact it was a lovely clear day on Boxing Dayand I just couldn't work it out? So I wasleft with a blank day and needed some-thing to do. I thought I would put thecricket on the television, unfortunately theSouth African summer was not playing balland rain has stopped play and the weatherwas actually better here! The thing I madeabsolutely clear was that I wasn't going

shopping! I had in true last minute manstyle spent the previous week barging myway around Lakeside and I wasn't preparedto do it after Christmas as well! Of coursethere was always the chance to take inanother game as a neutral, after all wewere the only senior game south ofBirmingham to be called off! I was due tovisit mum and dad in the evening and asGrays was off, dad decided to see if Maldonand Tiptree were at home. It turned outthat they were and Tilbury was the opposi-tion, and then it sunk in that either stayingin again or shopping were not that bad aproposition after all!

Talking of local rivals, today we welcomeEast Thurrock United for the first game ofthe new year, weather permitting ofcourse! As much as I know they like to uselittle comments here and there as a siegementality thing, I actually think that theyhave done very well as a club and onlyhave good things to say about them. Theyhave their catchment area aroundCorringham and Stanford le Hope - as theposters keep telling me! - and in recentyears have performed well to gradually ris-ing attendances. It just shows what couldbe achieved if you have a solid base inyour own town to work from. Who knows -2016 could bring that reality closer to ushere at Grays Ath and we can be a fullyfunctioning part of our community onceagain and who knows, just like the lastfew years at The Rec in Bridge Road, wecould put the town of Grays and the bor-ough of Thurrock on the map once again.[Hear, hear – Ed].

Enjoy the game Parker

Ryman

League

Premier Division

Round-Up

Dulwich Hamlet head the Ryman LeaguePremier Division table by goal differencefrom Hampton & Richmond Borough follow-ing Boxing Day wins for both.

Dulwich Hamlet put a severe dent inKingstonian`s own promotion hopes witha 5-1 Champion Hill battering in front of anexcellent crowd of 1,713. And the K`s ledtoo, thanks to Ricky Sappleton`s 11thminute opener. But the home side turnedthat round to lead at half-time with goalsfrom Danny Waldren after 22 minutes,Ryan Moss on the half-hour mark andAshley Carew on 39 minutes. EthanPinnock made it virtually game over just 3minutes after the break, with Moss` sec-ond 19 minutes from time being the icingon the Christmas cake!

Hampton & Richmond Borough staysecond following a 3-2 victory overStaines Town in front of a decent crowdof 646 at Beveree. It was win number fivein a row for Alan Dowson's men - and theyput their fans through the ringer beforeeventually sinking the Swans. Hamptonscored first with Jerome Federico on 23minutes and then extended the leadthrough Jamal Lowe 2 minutes after thebreak. In between Dean Sinclair saw hispenalty kept out by Jack Turner in theStaines goal. The out-of-form visitors cameback with goals from former Beaver LukeWanadio on 67 minutes before MichaelKalu, just over 10 minutes later, had NickyForster's team on level terms. But it wasn'tto be as Hampton inflicted a sucker punch2 minutes after Kalu equalised, BrendanKierman heading the winner.

Billericay Town are third after winning2-0 at The Prospects Stadium againstCanvey Island. Another decent crowd of621 saw Teddy Nesbitt give the Blues thelead right on half-time. And Tom Derryensured the points went to Craig Edwards`side with a second after 68 minutes.

Tonbridge Angels remain in the promo-tion race after a 3-0 win at second-bottomVCD Athletic. Nathan Elder proved to bethe Angels` hero, bagging a brace in the35th and 37th minutes. Luke Blewdenrounded things off with a third for SteveMcKimm`s men 7 minutes into the secondhalf.

A three-goal first half blitz saw fifth-placed Leiston gain Suffolk braggingrights with a comfortable victory over fifth-bottom Needham Market. Christy Finchset the ball rolling with a 19th minute drivepast ex-Blues keeper Danny Gay. Finchthen provided the assist for a classy finish

from Leon Ottley-Gooch just 2 minuteslater. Joe Francis added a third just beforehalf-time.

Wingate & Finchley`s top five hopessuffered a blow when they were beaten 3-1 at the Harry Abrahams Stadium bymid-table Metropolitan Police. CharlieCollins gave the Met a 25th minute leadthat Steve Sutherland doubled 6 minutesbefore half-time. Joe Turner added a third12 minutes from time, with MarcWeatherstone scoring a consolation for thehosts on 84 minutes.

Bognor Regis Town are, however, firm-ly back in the race, moving to within apoint of Wingate and Kingstonian afterwinning the Sussex derby at Nyewood Laneagainst bottom-markers Lewes TheRocks` beat the Rooks with a Jason Priorhat-trick in the 12th, 16th and 61st min-utes – Ollie Pearce adding a fourth in stop-page time to leave Lewes a whopping sev-enteen points adrift of the safety mark. Itdidn`t help Lewes` cause that fellowstrugglers Farnborough managed to beatSussex rivals Burgess Hill Town 1-0 atCherrywood Road, thanks to a 39th minuteBogdan Vastsuk effort.

A Ryan Scott goal in the 15th minuteeventually settled the game between EastThurrock United and Enfield Town atRookery Hill, while Leatherhead won theSurrey derby at the Moatside Stadiumagainst Merstham. Tomi Adeloye broke thedeadlock to give the Tanners a 69th minutelead that Fabio Saraiva cancelled out just 2minutes later, only for Kiernan Hughes-Mason to win it for the visitors 6 minutesfrom time .

But the most remarkable game took placeat Earlsmead between Harrow Boroughand struggling Hendon. A real see-sawencounter saw Boro come back from being4-1 down to ev eventually draw 5-5! LewisDriver gave the home side the lead in thevery first minute. But a Jamie Cassel owngoal 4 minutes later was followed by goalsfrom Kezie Ibe after 8 minutes, CarlMcCluskey on 19 minutes and FinbarrRobins 2 minutes after that. Boro respond-ed with two goals just before half-timefrom Driver again and Marc Charles-Smithto make it 4-3 to the Greens at half-time.Adam Wallace stretched Hendon`s lead to5-3 on the hour-mark, but Fejiri Okera-birhie on 62 minutes and a second forCharles-Smith 15 minutes from time sal-vaged a point for Boro and a goal fest forthe 264 crowd.

Fixtures

& Results

Ryman League

Premier Division

Saturday 19th December 2015PREMIER DIVISIONBillericay Town 2-0 Bognor Regis TownBurgess Hill Town 5-1 MersthamEnfield Town 2-1 Canvey IslandGrays Athletic 1-2 Dulwich HamletHendon 2-4 LeistonKingstonian 1-4 East Thurrock UnitedLeatherhead 1-0 Brentwood TownLewes 1-0 FarnboroughMetropolitan Police 0-3 Hampton & RBNeedham Market P-P VCD AthleticStaines Town 1-2 Wingate & FinchleyTonbridge Angels 3-3 Harrow Borough

Tuesday 22nd December 2015PREMIER DIVISIONBillericay Town P-P Grays AthleticBrentwood Town P-P LeistonLewes 0-2 Enfield TownLONDON SENIOR CUP - ROUND TWOCorinthian-Casuals 1-4 Dulwich Hamlet

Saturday 26th December 2015PREMIER DIVISIONBognor Regis Town 4-0 LewesBrentwood Town P-P Grays Athletic Canvey Island 0-2 Billericay TownDulwich Hamlet 5-1 KingstonianEast Thurrock United 1-0 Enfield Town Farnborough 1-0 Burgess Hill TownHampton & RB 3-2 Staines TownHarrow Borough 5-5 Hendon Leiston 3-0 Needham MarketMerstham 1-2 LeatherheadVCD Athletic 0-3 Tonbridge AngelsWingate & Finchley 1-3 Met. Police

Tuesday 29th December 2015PREMIER DIVISIONStaines Town 2-0 FarnboroughWingate & Finchley 1-2 Enfield Town

Saturday 2nd January 2016PREMIER DIVISIONBillericay Town vs LeistonBurgess Hill Town vs Bognor Regis TownEnfield Town vs Brentwood TownGrays Athletic vs East Thurrock UnitedHendon vs Wingate & FinchleyKingstonian vs FarnboroughLeatherhead vs Hampton & RBLewes vs MersthamMetropolitan Police vs Harrow BoroughNeedham Market vs Canvey IslandStaines Town vs VCD AthleticTonbridge Angels vs Dulwich Hamlet

Tuesday 5th January 2016PREMIER DIVISIONBrentwood Town vs Harrow BoroughCanvey Island vs Metropolitan PoliceVCD Athletic vs East Thurrock UnitedTHE ALAN TURVEY TROPHY SPONSORED BY ROBERTDYAS - QUARTER FINALSEnfield Town vs Wingate & FinchleySUSSEX COUNTY CUP - ROUND THREEEastbourne Town vs Bognor Regis Town

Wednesday 6th January 2015PREMIER DIVISIONBurgess Hill Town vs Enfield TownGrays Athletic vs Tonbridge AngelsLeatherhead vs Staines TownTHE ALAN TURVEY TROPHY SPONSORED BY ROBERTDYAS - QUARTER FINALSLeiston vs Kingstonian

Saturday 9th January 2016PREMIER DIVISIONBognor Regis Town vs Needham MarketBrentwood Town vs HendonCanvey Island vs Tonbridge AngelsDulwich Hamlet vs Enfield TownEast Thurrock United vs Metropolitan PoliceFarnborough vs Billericay TownHampton & RB vs KingstonianHarrow Borough vs Staines TownLeiston vs Burgess Hill TownMerstham vs Grays AthleticVCD Athletic vs LeatherheadWingate & Finchley vs Lewes

Monday 11th January 2016PREMIER DIVISIONFarnborough vs East Thurrock United

Tuesday 12th January 2016PREMIER DIVISIONBrentwood Town vs Hampton & RBNeedham Market vs Grays AthleticStaines Town vs Metropolitan Police

Wednesday 13th January 2016SURREY COUNTY CUP - ROUND THREEKingstonian vs Leatherhead

Saturday 16th January 2016PREMIER DIVISIONBillericay Town vs Brentwood TownBurgess Hill Town vs KingstonianCanvey Island vs Hampton & RBEnfield Town vs Metropolitan PoliceGrays Athletic vs FarnboroughHendon vs LewesLeiston vs Harrow BoroughMerstham vs Staines TownNeedham Market vs LeatherheadTonbridge Angels vs East Thurrock United

"The Ryman Football League strongly support the FA statement that there should be a zero

tolerance approach against racism and all formsof discrimination. Accordingly any form of

discriminatory abuse whether it be based on raceor ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, faith,age, abil ity or any other form of abuse will be

reported to the The Football Association for actionby that Association."

Useful numbers:-The FA 0800 085 0508 Kick it Out 020 7253 0162

The Non-League

Paper

With

Sheridan Robins

By Sheridan Robins

Christmas may be over for another year

but the tradition of Boxing Day football

means that clubs may be able to extend

the celebrations with three points for their

valued fans. As players, managers, officials

and supporters travel all over the country,

surely now is the time to celebrate your

club’s achievements over the last year.

But it is also a time to thank YOU – the

loyal fans and volunteers that keep this

great institution of football going.

Christmas is a busy time for many and not

least football clubs. With a packed festive

schedule, sacrifices have to be made in

order to perform on a day like today.

When Premier League players miss out on

a glass of wine or excessive amounts of

turkey, sympathy is limited due to the

other excess in their life – their bank bal-

ance. But in the world of Non-League, this

reward does not exist. With a range of

other commitments – not to mention fami-

ly life – travelling to a game today is not

easy for the players, managers, volunteers

or supporters. The Class of 92 documen-

tary just a few months ago highlighted this

with Salford City’s volunteers at the fore-

front of their football community.

Despite their FA Cup second round hero-

ics, they were cruelly knocked out after

extra time at Hartlepool. But one thing that

won’t change now they have returned to

Evo-Stik Northern Premier action are those

same volunteers who graced our television

screens. This is true for all clubs at this

level and no doubt all sides in action today

will want to reward their loyal supporters

and volunteers for their continued hard

work. What makes them particularly spe-

cial? They do it for the love of it – nothing

more and nothing less.

In the wake of some Football League

adversity, the Non-League flag once again

flew high and proud when Welling auc-

tioned off their match ball following their

match with League Two side Carlisle

United. The money will be used to help the

community of Cumbria that have been

severely affected by Storm Desmond.

Subsequently, the club who ultimately

ended Welling’s FA Cup dream, has suf-

fered more heavily than many can imagine.

All clubs – Non-League or otherwise –

have come together in a time of crisis and

for once there has been a number of posi-

tive stories about football and how power-

ful it can be. So whether it be a painful rel-

egation battle or an exciting promotion

challenge that your side are facing today,

none of it would be possible without the

volunteers selling food and drink or the

selfless people who do their upmost to

keep matches on in this time of unpre-

dictable weather – to name just a few.

As the (slightly adjusted) cliché goes, a

football club is not just for Christmas – it’s

for life and no matter how much we want

to sometimes, we can’t alter the place the

club has in our hearts.

League

Table

Ryman League

Premier Division

INC. 29TH DEC. P W D L F A PTDulwich Hamlet 26 15 4 7 57 29 49Hampton & Richmond Borough 25 14 7 4 51 33 49Billericay Town 28 13 8 7 48 32 47Tonbridge Angels 24 13 7 4 51 22 46Leiston 25 13 6 6 41 27 45Kingstonian 25 12 6 7 42 32 42Wingate & Finchley 26 13 3 10 42 33 42Bognor Regis Town 24 12 5 7 43 29 41East Thurrock United 23 11 7 5 54 34 40Enfield Town 26 12 4 10 37 30 40Burgess Hill Town 26 11 5 10 42 41 38Grays Athletic 23 11 4 8 39 28 37Canvey Island 26 11 4 11 40 43 37Metropolitan Police 25 11 4 10 26 41 37Harrow Borough 26 10 6 10 42 39 36Leatherhead 25 10 4 11 38 42 34Staines Town 24 9 5 10 31 41 32Merstham 28 9 5 14 38 55 32Hendon 29 7 7 15 42 54 28Needham Market 26 7 7 12 33 47 28Farnborough 26 7 2 17 35 59 23Brentwood Town 22 6 2 14 25 37 20VCD Athletic 25 4 7 14 20 51 19Lewes 27 2 5 20 22 60 11

Action from the 2-2 draw at Hendon.

PIC WITH THANKS TO PETER JACKSON

Grays Athletic

FC

Meet The Staff

& Players

George Kamurasi – Goalkeeper. Popular keeper who returned to the Blues

in August 2015 after helping us win theRyman Division One North Championship in2012/13. Also had spells at Brentwood andPotters Bar. Made his return debut in theCanvey League Cup win in August 2015and starred in the match with two crucialsaves in the penalty shoot-out. Callum Maltese – Midfielder.

Callum was a member of last season’ssuccessful Under 18 side which won theEssex Pelly Cup. He has been given thechance to step up to the reserve and firstteam squad. He made his first team debutin the penalty shoot-out win over Canveyin the League Cup in August 2015. Son offormer Grays Athletic star, Bradley Maltese,who helped the Blues to promotion to theRyman Premier Division in 1988. Jermaine Osei – Striker.

Jermaine is a young striker who joinedthe Blues in August 2015 after havingspells at Enfield 1893, Enfield Town andBishop’s Stortford. Made his senior debutin the penalty shoot-out win at Canvey inAugust 2015.Roman Michael-Percil - Winger.

The Club signed 20 year-old Roman inAugust 2015 after impressing in pre-sea-son. He was originally a youth at Spursand has also played for Concord Rangers,Billericay and Farnbor-ough. Scored hisdebut goal in the 4-0 home win overBrentwood Town on 31 August 2015.Lamar Reynolds – Winger.

Lamar joined the Blues in August 2015having previously played for other Essexsides Barkingside, Thurrock and Aveley.James Stevens – Midfielder.

James came through Southend United’syouth system, making his debut in March2011. He was released by Southend inMay 2012 and moved to Witham Town,before joing the Blues in December 2014.He has great passing ability and a powerfulstriker of the ball.Perry Tamburrini – Midfielder.

Another returnee in August 2015. Perrypreviously made two first team appear-ances when we were in Ryman DivisionOne North. He opted to move to our land-lords, Aveley, to get first team experience,before a spell at Basildon in the Essex

Senior League. He suffered an injury play-ing for our Under 21s as an 18 year-old,but he is now looking to get back into ourfirst team squad.Mason Bloomfield - Striker.

Joined from Chelmsford City in October2015. Mason is a product of the Dagenham& Redbridge Academy. He had loan spellsat Chatham Town, Erith & Belvedere,Maldon & Tiptree before signing forChelmsford City in September 2015 wherehe had dual registration with local rivalsBillericay Town.Montel Agyemang – Midfield

Made his first team debut for LeytonOrient at the end of 2014 as he came on inthe dying minutes at Yeovil Town as Orientran out 3-0 victors. Predominantly a cen-tral midfielder, Agyemang was rewardedwith a new one-year contract following asuccessful two-years as a scholar.Agyemang featured heavily for the O’sreserve team last season and made a totalof 30 appearances for the youth team dur-ing the 2014-15 campaign. Joined GraysAthletic in October 2015.Jake Hutchings - Defender. Highly rated 19 year old who had a brief

spell at Grays in 2013, before Martin Linggave him his first professional contract atTorquay. He moved to Hearts in Scotlandon a short-term contract in January 2015,but was released in July and returned toGrays in October.Danny Burnett-Williams – Striker.

25 year old Danny joined on dual regis-tration from Dover Athletic in October2015. He had a brief spell in our reservespreviously before joining Dover. He alsohad a loan spell at Leatherhead this sea-son, coming on as a substitute in their 3-0win against the Blues in September. Correy Davidson - Wide Midfield.

Age 22. Correy originally joined us fromAFC Sudbury in the 2014/15 season. Hehails from Dublin and previously played forCarrick Rangers and Bohemians FC. He hasrepresented Ireland in the World UniversityGames, finishing as Ireland's top scorerand Northern Ireland Amateurs in theUmbro Cup in Limerick. This season, hehas played for Heybridge Swifts and Wareand re-joined us on 17 December 2015.

Grays Athletic

FC

Stat

Attack

An occasional feature courtesy of David “Stato” Raven

National is a collective term for the top 10 divisions of men's football in England com-

prising the 4 professional divisions, the national league and the Ryman, Northern and

Southern premier leagues

The stats have a number of sources but I use my own data collection and analysis to

produce most if not all of the figures presented below

DISCIPLINE & FAIR PLAY

National average - 188 points

Ryman worst

318 points - Canvey Island

Ryman best

156 points - Grays Athletic

National worst

318 points - Canvey Island

Ryman Premier League

National best

94 points - Arsenal

Premier League

94 points - Cambridge City

Southern Premier League

SEASON PERFORMANCE

Most goals 934 RPL

Highest goals per game 3.09 Northern Premier League

Most drawn games 182 Championship

Best entertainment value 18.5 RPL and Northern Premier League

National average points won ratio 1.38

National average goals scored 1.4

National average goals conceded 1.4

GAFC points won ratio 1.61

GAFC average goals scored 1.7

GAFC average goals conceded 1.22

Team with best PWR 2.32 Ebbsfleet United Conf South

Team with worst PWR 0.41 Lewes RPL

Team with best GSR 2.52 Nantwich Town NPL

Team with worst GSR 0.7 AFC Telford Conf North

Team with best GCR 0.52 Middlesbrough Championship

Team with worst GCR 2.72 Stamford NPL

Team with best GD 34 Cheltenham Town Conference Nat.

Team with worst GD -38 Lewes RPL

Kenny Beaney – Midfield.This season’sClub captain. He made two appearancesfor Grays Athletic in October 2008 beforebeing released. He started his career atDulwich Hamlet and had a loan spell atWealdstone before joining Fisher Athleticin 2007. He also had a short spell withBeckenham Town and then moved on toThurrock in December 2008. RejoiningGrays Athletic in 2011, he has made one ofthe midfield spots his own.Dumebi GB-Dumaka – Striker. Signed inAugust 2014. Affectionately known as ‘DD’,the young striker was impressive in trainingand pre-season friendlies. He was previ-ously with Heybridge Swifts and Barking,for whom he performed well against us inan Essex Senior Cup tie in 2013.Joel Nouble – Striker. The club arepleased to announce that Joel Nouble hasjoined the club on a short term loan withthe intention of extending until the end ofthe season. Joel last played for the club in2013/14 season. He made his debut for theclub in the victory over Tilbury in theRyman League Cup, coming on as a substi-tute for Jeff Hammond and scoring withonly his second touch. His first goal in theleague came in a 3–2 defeat to DulwichHamlet. He scored in the 3–3 draw withChatham Town as the Blues progressedthrough to the semi-finals of the RymanLeague Cup on penalties. Joel scored hisfirst ever brace in the 4–2 home league winover Lewes. He returned to Dagenham &Redbridge having made thirty-two appear-ances, and scoring nine goals for the Blues.Brian Moses – Striker.

The club are very pleased to announcethat Striker Brian Moses has rejoined theclub. In August 2015 Brian went on loan toBarkingside.Glen Little – Midfield.

A vastly experienced player. He joined inAugust 2014 from last season’s RymanLeague Champions, Wealdstone. He wasborn in Wimbledon. He also previouslyplayed for Burnley, Derry City, Glentoran,Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Wrexhamand Aldershot Town. He has also appearedin the Premier League for BoltonWanderers, Reading and Portsmouth. He isthe scorer of some classic goals, witheither foot and the maker of many more,as ‘You Tube’ will testify! Glen rejoined theclub in March 2015 after his recent spell atWelling United.

Bradley Tomlinson – Striker. Narborough-born Tomlinson was snappedup at the age of 11 by Leicester City beforemoving to Sheffield Wednesday at the ageof 16. Before his release in 2013 he fea-tured twice for Northern Ireland's U19 sideand signed his first professional contractfor St. Johnston in Scotland in September2013. Tomlinson returned to England insummer 2014, joining Hereford United on asix-month deal and becomes AndySwallow's first signing since taking overthe reins from Jody Brown in December2014. Bradley rejoined the club in March2015.Sean Cronin – Centre Back. On 24 March 2015, Sean joined the Blues

on loan from Wealdstone. He signed forWealdstone in August 2010 having previ-ously played for Neath FC in the WelshPremier League. Sean has also played forCardiff City and represented Wales atUnder 18, Under 19 and semi-pro Under 23level, and has made over 170 starts for theStones. Harry Agombar – Midfielder.

Harry originally joined in 2010 and playedin our last season in the Conference. Aftermaking 75 appearances he moved toMacclesfield Town in 2012. After a briefloan spell back with the Blues, he moved toMaltese side, Floriana in January 2013. InJuly 2013, Swindon Town signed him on atwo year deal. He returned on loan to theBlues again in March 2015. He leftSwindon by mutual consent at the end ofthe 2014/15 and re-joined the Blues inAugust 2015.Gus Douglas – Defender.

Gus has joined up with the first teamsquad after being a key member of theUnder 21 side that won the Ryman DivisionNorth title in 2014/15.Luke Ifil – Defender.

He joined in August 2015 after managerMark Bentley had been searching for aright back during pre-season. Luke hadbeen on trial at Wealdstone but was unableto obtain a place in their squad. He hadbeen released by Wolves after starting as ayouth at Arsenal. He made in debut atTonbridge Angels in August 2015 and hasimpressed with his defensive and attackingplay.

Continued over

Other Ryman

League Tables

2015-16

Season

NORTH DIVISION (29/12/15) P W D L F A PTCray Wanderers 28 18 6 4 64 30 60AFC Sudbury 26 19 3 4 51 33 60AFC Hornchurch 27 17 5 5 62 20 56Thurrock 23 17 3 3 56 25 54Cheshunt 27 12 9 6 54 30 45Tilbury 23 13 6 4 52 29 45Harlow Town 23 12 6 5 41 25 42Bury Town 24 11 8 5 43 28 41Dereham Town 27 11 8 8 45 35 41Brightlingsea Regent 23 12 5 6 35 25 41Thamesmead Town 24 12 5 7 35 27 41Phoenix Sports 28 12 5 11 43 45 41Aveley 27 11 4 12 57 49 37Maldon & Tiptree 26 10 6 10 50 46 36Soham Town Rangers 27 8 5 14 34 50 29Great Wakering Rovers 28 7 8 13 45 64 29Witham Town 24 6 6 12 37 51 24Romford 26 5 8 13 30 50 23Haringey Borough 25 6 4 15 24 41 22Wroxham 25 5 6 14 30 52 21Heybridge Swifts 27 5 5 17 33 55 20Barkingside 28 4 6 18 33 67 18Redbridge 27 5 3 19 27 85 18Waltham Abbey 25 2 8 15 22 41 14

SOUTH DIVISION (29/12/15) P W D L F A PTFolkestone Invicta 27 20 3 4 51 20 63Worthing 28 17 3 8 60 36 54Guernsey 28 15 4 9 62 49 49Ramsgate 29 14 7 8 51 43 49Herne Bay 26 14 6 6 46 26 48Dorking Wanderers 27 14 6 7 52 33 48Faversham Town 28 14 6 8 38 25 48Carshalton Athletic 28 15 2 11 49 44 47Molesey 27 14 3 10 52 43 45Whyteleafe 28 14 3 11 42 39 45Corinthian-Casuals 26 14 2 10 40 31 44South Park 27 13 5 9 43 42 44Hythe Town 27 12 5 10 33 30 41Hastings United 22 13 1 8 41 29 40Three Bridges 27 12 2 13 35 35 38Tooting & Mitcham United 27 10 3 14 35 45 33Walton Casuals 27 9 3 15 44 52 30Sittingbourne 27 9 2 16 39 46 29East Grinstead Town 26 8 5 13 38 49 29Chatham Town 27 8 4 15 37 37 28Walton & Hersham 27 8 4 15 35 56 25Peacehaven & Telscombe 28 6 5 17 35 68 23Chipstead 28 4 3 21 28 64 15Whitstable Town 28 4 1 23 31 75 13

Grays Athletic

FC

Meet The Staff

& Players

Mark Bentley – Midfield/Manager. JoinedGrays Athletic in August 2014. He startedhis career at Enfield in 1998, later movingto Aldershot Town, Gravesend &Northfleet, where he won Player of theYear for 2002/03 and Dagenham &Redbridge. He stepped up to the FootballLeague with Southend United in 2004where he made 93 appearances and wasinvolved in two consecutive promotions.He moved to Gillingham in 2006 and hewas runner up for their 2006/07 and2009/10 Player of the Year award. He alsorepresented Cambridge United, Hayes &Yeading, Boreham Wood and was a mem-ber of Wealdstone’s Ryman LeagueChampionship winning squad last season.In January 2015 Mark took over as care-taker manager from Andy Swallow. InFebruary 2015 it was announced that Markwould retain the manager’s role for theremainder of the 2014-2015 season.Discussions are ongoing for his tenure tocontinue for next season.David Raven – Coach / Scout. Retiredfrom playing in 1999 after a career thatincluded spells at Wigan Athletic, SloughTown and Didcot Town. Joined the staff in2011. A former Kilmarnock coach and Graysreserve team manager. Previously a youthcoach and assistant manager for the CapitalLeague side at Redbridge before joiningGrays Athletic in 2011 as assistant managerfor the reserves. His role was expanded toinclude scouting opponents and potentialsignings. He will continue in his dual coach-ing/ scouting role working on fitness &rehabilitation and working closer with theU21 and U18 coaching staff to identify play-ers to develop through into the first team. Lamar Johnson – Goalkeeper. He joinedGrays in 2011 after spells at Romford andAveley. In his early career, he was part ofthe Charlton Athletic youth setup and alsoplayed for Thurrock’s under 18’s and theirreserve side, before switching to Canvey-based Concord Rangers in 2010. He willavailable to play after 15 October 2014.Jay Leader – Centre Half. A product ofthe Dagenham & Redbridge youth setup hehas progressed through the non-leagueranks playing for Bethnal Green in theEssex Senior League before moving toAveley where he was made captain in his

first season. He joined in August 2014 fromThe Millers where he was voted Fans’ andPlayers’ Player of the Year last season.Alex Addai - Alex started his career withTottenham Hotspur as a youngster butmoved north to join Blackpool as a trainee.He was released at the end of the 2012/13season without managing to break into thesenior squad at Bloomfield Road. After anunsuccessful trial with Leyton Orient in thesummer of 2013, he joined then RymanPremier Division side Carshalton Athleticand made eleven appearances for theRobins, scoring once. He joinedConference South side Whitehawk inDecember 2013 and then moved ontoCrawley Down Gatwick in March 2014. Hesigned for Ryman Premier side Kingstonianin the summer of 2014 and played forty-one times, scoring just once.Tommy Cummings – Mark Bentley hasalso announced the signing of defenderTommy Cummings. With Arsenal andCharlton Athletic as a youngster, hebecame disillusioned with the game andgave up for a while, but has been playinglocally in the past year or so and hasimpressed sufficiently to be offered termsby Bentley.Jey Siva – Left Back.Joined from Weald-stone in August 2014 where he was part oftheir Championship winning squad in2013/14. He was at Enfield from 2010until 2013 and previously played forHillingdon Borough, Indian Gymkhana andNewbury Forest. He has coaching experi-ence at a number of English Clubs and inthe USA. He achieved a sports sciencedegree at Brunel University where he madethe England University side.Joao Carlos – Midfield. He joined in thepre-season of 2011. The Portuguesewinger started his career at Clapton beforemoving on to Brentwood Town and thenAveley. He went on to sign for FootballLeague side Dagenham & Redbridge inNovember 2009, where he made oneappearance as a substitute. He rejoinedBrentwood Town in August 2010, before amove to Thurrock. He was voted thePlayer of the Year in 2011/12 and theSupporters’ Player of the Year 2013/14.He was also the top scorer in both sea-sons.

Reserve

Team

Essex Senior

Football League

15/08/2015 Thurrock A Lge 0-7

22/08/2015 Heybridge Swifts H Lge 3-3 Osei (2), Tamburrini

05/09/2015 Redbridge H Lge 3-1 Tamburrini, Maltese, Fuller

12/09/2015 Sawbridgeworth T. H Lge 1-1 Fuller

26/09/2015 Thurrock H Cup 2-1 TBA

03/10/2015 Hullbridge A Lge 4-0 Cummings, Bangora, Osei (2)

17/10/15 Takeley A Lge 5-3 Fuller (2), Burnett-Williams,

Gordon, Osei

14/11/2015 Southend Manor H Lge 2-1 Maltese, Moses

18/11/2015 Waltham Abbey A Lge 2-3 Burnett-Williams, Ofori

02/12/2015 Clapton A Lge 3-2 Moses (2), Burnett-Williams

05/12/2015 Waltham Abbey H Lge 3-4 Maltese, Ofori, Nicholson

12/12/2015 Waltham Forest A Lge 1-2 Reynolds

23/01/2016 Southend Manor A Lge 2-3 Abdul (2)

30/01/2016 Sawbridgeworth T. A Lge

03/02/2016 Clapton H Lge

13/02/2016 Waltham Forest H Lge

27/02/2016 Takeley H Lge

05/03/2016 Thurrock H Lge

12/03/2016 Hullbridge Sports H Lge

19/03/2016 Heybridge Swifts A Lge

TBA Barking A Lge

TBA Redbridge A Lge

TBA Barking H Lge

Essex Senior League Official Website www.essexseniorleague.co.uk

Facebook Essex Senior League Community Twitter @essexsenior

RESERVE DIVSION P W D L F A PT

Waltham Abbey 11 10 0 1 35 17 30

Redbridge 13 10 0 3 34 28 30

Heybridge Swifts 11 8 1 2 41 14 25

Thurrock 10 7 2 1 37 8 23

Hullbridge Sports 12 6 2 4 30 24 20

Grays Athletic 12 5 2 5 29 30 17

Clapton 15 3 3 9 23 32 12

Sawbridgeworth Town 9 3 2 4 19 26 11

Southend Manor 12 3 1 8 19 40 10

Walham Forest 10 3 0 7 14 24 9

Barking 9 1 2 6 10 24 5

Takeley 10 0 1 9 12 36 1

Statistics

2015-16

Grays Athletic

Football Club

Statistics

2015-16

Grays Athletic

Football Club

DATE OPPOSITION C R 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Substitutes Used ATT OGSat 8th Aug Hendon Lge 1-1 Johnson Cummings Siva Cronin Leader Stevens Michael-Percil Beaney Tomlinson Ferguson Carlos Little +, Bentley *, Reynolds @ 201 1

Tues 11th Aug Tonbridge Angels Lge 3-2 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Stevens + Tomlinson Beaney GB-Dumaka 2 Ferguson Carlos 1 * Michael-Percil +, Bentley * 439

Sat 15th Aug Burgess Hill Town Lge 2-1 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Stevens Tomlinson 1 * Beaney GB-Dumaka 1 Ferguson Carlos+ Michael-Percil +, Reynolds * 458

Tues 18th Aug Canvey Island ***** ATT1 2-2 Kamurasi Ifil Cummings Douglas Bentley Stevens 1 Michael-Percil Maltese @ Osei * Ferguson + Reynolds Beaney +, Little *, Addai @ 153 1

Sat 22nd Aug Billericay Town Lge 2-0 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Stevens 1 * Tomlinson 1 + Beaney GB-Dumaka Ferguson + Carlos @ Reynolds +, Bentley *, Michael-Percil @ 263

Weds 26th Aug Canvey Island Lge 2-0 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Stevens * Tomlinson Beaney GB-Dumaka 1 Ferguson + Carlos + Reynolds +, Agombar * 289 1

Sat 29th Aug Dulwich Hamlet Lge 1-1 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Stevens+ Tomlinson Beaney 1 GB-Dumaka Ferguson @ Carlos * Michael-Percil +, Reynolds *, Little @ 999

Mon 31st Aug Brentwood Town Lge 4-0 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader 1 Michael-Percil + Tomlinson * Beaney GB-Dumaka 2 Ferguson @ Carlos Agombar +, Reynolds *, Stevens @ 205

Sat 5th Sep Leiston Lge 2-1 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Stevens Tomlinson + Beaney GB-Dumaka 2 Ferguson @ Carlos * Michael-Perci l +, Reynolds * 232

Tues 8th Sep Canvey Island Lge 3-0 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Stevens 1 @ Tomlinson + Beaney GB-Dumaka 1 Ferguson @ Carlos * 1 Michael-Percil +, Reynolds *, Agombar @ 330

Sat 12th Sep Biggleswade Utd FAC1Q 5-0 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin 1 Leader Agombar + Tomlinson @ Beaney Michael-Percil 1 Ferguson @ Reynolds * Carlos + 2, Little *, Osei @ 182 1

Sat 19th Sep Bognor Regis Town Lge 0-2 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Stevens+ Tomlinson @ Beaney GB-Dumaka Ferguson Carlos * Michael-Percil +, Reynolds *, Little @ 207

Weds 23rd Sep Staines Town Lge 1-1 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin 1 Leader Stevens + Michael-Percil Beaney * Tomlinson Ferguson Carlos Agombar *, Reynolds +, 173

Sat 26th Sep Hullbridge Sports FAC2Q 6-0 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin + Leader Stevens Michael-Percil Tomlinson @ 3 GB-Dumaka 3 Ferguson Carlos * Yala +, Reynolds *, Osei @ 206

Weds 30th Sep Leatherhead Lge 0-3 Johnson Ifil @ Siva Cronin Leader Stevens + Michael-Percil Agombar * Tomlinson Ferguson Carlos Reynolds *, Little +, Yala @ 272

Fri 2nd Oct Kingstonian Lge 1-3 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin + Leader Stevens + Michael-Percil 1 Agyemang Tomlinson Ferguson * Carlos @ Bloomfield +, Little *, Reynolds @ 191

Wed 7th Oct East Thurrock *** ATT2 2-2 Kamurasi Ruddock Cummings Nicholson Bentley Halliday Addai Fuller Bloomfield 1 Agombar 1 Reynolds Osei +, Little *, Reynolds @ 159

Sat 10th Oct Hanwell Town FAC3Q 2-1 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader 1 Stevens Michael-Percil + Agyemang GB-Dumaka 1 Tomlinson @ Carlos* Bentley +, Little ,* Reynolds @ 311

Weds 14th Oct Leatherhead Lge 0-2 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin + Hutchings Stevens Michael-Percil Agyemang @ GB-Dumaka Tomlinson * Carlos Bentley +, Bloomfield * Little @ 172

Sat 17th Oct Lewes Lge 4-0 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Hutchings 1 Stevens 1 Michael-Percil @ Bentley* GB-Dumaka 2 + Agombar Carlos Bloomfield +, Little *, Addai @ 194

Sun 25th Oct Welling United FAC4Q 1-1 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Bentley Michael-Percil + Beaney * GB-Dumaka Agombar Carlos Addai + 1, Stevens * 512

Tues 27th Oct Welling United FAC4Qr 0-4 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Bentley + Michael-Percil * Agyemang GB-Dumaka Agombar @ Carlos Stevens +, Tomlinson *, Addai @ 733

Sat 31st Oct Biggleswade Town FAT1Q 2-1 Johnson Ifil Cummings Cronin Hutchings Stevens * Addai 1 Leader B.-Williams + Tomlinson 1 Carlos @ Bloomfield +, Bentley *, Agombar @ 151

Tues 3rd Nov Wingate & Finchley Lge 2-3 Johnson Ifil 1 Cummings Cronin Hutchings Leader Michael-Percil Agyemang Tomlinson * 1 Agombar @ Carlos + Addai +, Bloomfield *, Little @ 111

Sat 7th Nov Burgess Hill Town Lge 2-0 Johnson Ifil Cummings Cronin Leader Stevens + Addai * Bentley GB-Dumaka 1 Tomlinson 1 Carlos @ Agyemang +, Michael-Percil *, Agombar @ 148

Weds 11th Nov Witham Town^^^ ESC3 0-0 Johnson Cummings Siva Nicholson Hutchings Little Ofori * Agombar Cathline + Bloomfield Addai @ B.-Williams +, Osei *, Maltese @ 86

Sat 14th Nov Waltham Abbey FAT2Q 2-0 Johnson Ifil Cummings Cronin Leader Hutchings + Tomlinson Agyemang GB-Dumaka * Agombar 1 @ Carlos Beaney +1, Bloomfield *, Michael-Percil @ 146

Sat 21st Nov Enfield Town Lge 1-0 Johnson Ifil Cummings Cronin Leader Bentley Beaney GB-Dumaka Agombar + Carlos Tomlinson 1 Agyemang + 212

Tues 24th Nov Wingate & Finchley ATT3 4-5 Johnson Hutchings Siva Nicholson Leader Stevens Michael-Percil Maltese@ 2 B. -Williams + 1 Little * 1 Addai Beaney +, Fuller *, Dombaxe @ 75

Sun 29th Nov Corinthian-Casuals FAT3Q 0-0 Johnson Ifil Cummings Cronin Leader Stevens * Tomlinson Agyemang GB-Dumaka Agombar + Carlos @ Michael-Percil +, Bentley *, Addai @ 150

Weds 2nd Dec Corinthian-Casuals FAT3Qr 0-1 Johnson Ifil Cummings Cronin Leader Stevens Michael-Percil GB-Dumaka Agombar + Tomlinson Bentley * Carlos +, Agyemang * 127

Sat 5th Dec VCD Athletic Lge 0-1 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Agyemang Addai + Beaney GB-Dumaka Bloomfield@ Carlos * Hutchins +, Ekpiteta *, Michael-Percil @ 111

Mon 7th Dec Hendon Lge 2-2 Johnson Ifil Cummings Cronin Leader Agyemang + Addai * Beaney GB-Dumaka 2 Tomlinson Carlos Bentley +, Michael-Percil * 123

Sat 12th Dec Hampton & RB Lge 1-3 Johnson Ifil Cummings Cronin Leader Agyemang Addai + Beaney GB-Dumaka 1* Tomlinson Carlos @ Stevens +, Bloomfield *, Michael-Percil @ 404

Tues 15th Dec Staines Town Lge 4-0 Johnson Ifil Siva Hutchings @ Leader 1 Agyemang * Michael-Percil Beaney GB-Dumaka + Tomlinson 3 Carlos Agombar +, Addai *, Ekpiteta @ 126

Sat 19th Dec Dulwich Hamlet Lge 1-2 Johnson Ifil Siva Cronin Leader Agyemang @ Tomlinson 1 Beaney Bloomfield + Agombar * Carlos Addai +, Bentley *, Davidson @ 254

Sat 2nd Jan East Thurrock U. Lge H SPONSORS: CAROL TILLETT AND

PHYLLIS HOLLANDS

Weds 6th Jan Tonbridge Angels Lge H SPONSOR: CAROL TILLETT

Sat 9th Jan Merstham Lge A

Tues 12th Jan Needham Market Lge A

Sat 16th Jan Farnborough Lge H SPONSOR: KEITH BURNS ON BEHALF OF BSQA

Sat 23rd Jan Metropolitan Police Lge A

Tues 26th Jan Harrow Borough Lge A

Sat 30th Jan Wingate & Finchley Lge H SPONSOR: PETER BARKER

Tues 2nd Feb Billericay Town Lge A

Sat 6th Feb Kingstonian Lge A

Sat 13th Feb Harrow Borough Lge H SPONSOR: PHIL BOSTON

Sat 20th Feb Lewes Lge A

Sat 27th Feb Met. Police Lge H SPONSOR: GLYN BALMER (GLYNBO)

Sat 5th Mar Farnborough Lge A

Sat 12th Mar Leiston Lge H SPONSOR: PHYLLIS HOLLANDS

Sat 19th Mar Bognor Regis Town Lge A

Sat 26th Mar Merstham Lge H SPONSOR: STEWART GOSHAWK

Mon 28th Mar East Thurrock U. Lge A

Sat 2nd Apr Enfield Town Lge A

Sat 9th Apr Needham Market Lge H SPONSOR: PARAGON INDEPENDENT LTD

Sat 16th Apr Hampton & RB Lge H SPONSOR: GLYN BALMER (GLYNBO)

Sat 23rd Apr VCD Athletic Lge A

TBA Brentwood Town Lge A

***** Won on pens ^^^ Lost on pens